NFL Insider Urges Colts 'Should Be Looking At' Recently Cut 4-time All-Pro
As NFL free agency inches closer, more players are becoming available. One safety who the Denver Broncos released on Thursday, Justin Simmons, could be of particular interest to the Indianapolis Colts.
At least that's what The Indianapolis Star' Nate Atkins argued when he urged that the Colts "should be looking at" signing Simmons in free agency.
"Another safety the Colts should be looking at," Atkins wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He'll turn 31 this fall, but he's been an All-Pro three straight years.
"Most INTs of any player since he entered the league in 2016."
Simmons has only made the Pro Bowl twice in his 8-year career, but he's a four-time member of the NFL's second-team All-Pro. He's earned recognition on second-team All-Pro in each of the last three seasons.
During 2023, Simmons posted 70 combined tackles, including 2 tackles for loss. He also had 8 pass defenses, 3 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.
Simmons made the Pro Bowl last season as well and during the 2020 campaign.
The fact that Simmons turned 30 in November could work in his favor. Beginning as a 2016 third-round pick for the Broncos, Simmons has started 108 games in his career. His presence in Indianapolis would give the Colts a tremendous experience boost in the secondary, which is one of the youngest aspects of Indianapolis' roster.
The Colts could lose both veteran safety Julian Blackmon and cornerback Kenny Moore II in free agency this offseason.
Simmons could also cost less due to his age. Spotrac projected the former Broncos safety to be worth $22.2 million on a 2-year contract this offseason.
In his 8-year NFL career, Simmons has experience playing both safety positions. The Colts could sign Simmons and re-sign Blackmon to have a dynamic safety duo in the backend of their defense.
Or, the Colts could target Simmons as a replacement for Blackmon and start him alongside third-year safety Nick Cross.
The Colts possess $52.8 million in cap space as of March 7. NFL free agency officially begins on March 13, but Simmons could start engaging with teams prior to that because of his early release.
The Broncos officially released Simmons on Thursday to save $14.5 million in salary cap space.
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