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Last season, S Justin Simmons was named to his first Pro Bowl and received his second All-Pro nod. He followed up a breakout 2019 campaign, in which he racked up 15 passes defensed and four interceptions, with a career-best five-interception performance in 2020.
Simmons' 2019 season earned him his first appearance on ESPN's 2020 annual ranking of the top 100 players, debuting at No. 92 on the list. This year, Simmons makes a significant jump to No. 59 among the top 100 of 2021.
"Simmons can do everything, from covering, to playing the run, to being a leader on his team," Jeff Legwold of ESPN said. "There are only two safeties in the league to have three consecutive seasons of at least 90 tackles and three interceptions: Simmons and Jessie Bates III."
In addition to being consistent in coverage, Simmons has been reliable in another capacity for Denver as well.
"Simmons has played 3,211 consecutive snaps and is the league's only defensive player to have appeared in every defensive snap since the start of the 2018 season," Legwold said.
With kickoff of the 2021 regular season on the horizon, ESPN's Mike Clay predicts another successful year for Simmons, projecting 93 tackles, three interceptions and Simmons' first career forced fumble.
If the preseason is any indication, Simmons' ballhawk reputation should be on full display this year — he quickly recorded an interception and a pass defensed in his limited preseason snaps against Seattle in Week 2, reminding the NFL exactly how disruptive he can be.
Simmons' defensive prowess has been apparent across the league and to viewers, but especially so in Denver, where they value his leadership and ability to dominate in any coverage situation.
"It's such a passing league, and his ability to play the run, play in space, blitz and cover a tight end — it's huge to have that on your football team," Broncos General Manager George Paton said.
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September 02, 2021 at 10:01PM
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