Justin Simmons, nine-year veteran safety, was recently released after spending eight seasons with the Denver Broncos, and most recently finishing the 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons.
He has been linked to several teams, but here is how he might fit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Simmons played four years for Boston College, from 2012-2015, where he would total 165 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 8 interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. While his numbers are not astronomical. he is one of those players who always seems to be near the ball.
ESPN's Matt Bowen recently wrote that "Simmons fits really well as an interchangeable safety opposite Antoine Winfield Jr. in Todd Bowles' defense. The Bucs played the most zone coverage in the league last season (71.7% of the time), and Simmons can spin to the post or walk down in Cover 3. He's an excellent communicator with field awareness. Simmons has picked off 32 passes over his nine-year career, including two last season."
After losing a starting cornerback Carlton Davis III in 2023 to the Detroit Lions, and finding themselves with some young and inexperienced corners, they will need someone with a veteran presence to help cover in a multitude of areas. Todd Bowles has always proven that his defensive players should be ready to step up when called upon, no matter the ask.
Simmons has certainly proven himself as a valuable and viable player in this league. Buccaneers fans would absolutely love to see a strong presence like Simmons in their defensive back rotation, should he decide to sign with Tampa Bay.