As NFL training camps approach, there are some starting-caliber safeties still available. Atop the heap is Justin Simmons, a four-time second-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. The Denver Broncos cut him this offseason in a cost-cutting move, and in a largely stagnated safety market more than a few teams could use him.
Speaking at his recent charity golf event, via Bradley King of 7News in Denver, Simmons spoke about patience with the process and finding the right fit with a new team.
"We’re just playing the long game here. I think ultimately we’re going to end up where we’re wanted and where we’re valued", Simmons said. “I’ve always said from the jump that I want to play for a contender, and I feel like I can be the missing piece for a lot of teams to get them over the hump.
"Contender" and "missing piece...to get them over the hump" narrows down the kind of teams Simmons would like to sign with. There's nothing wrong with being choosy in that fashion.
Though he has missed multiple games in back-to-back seasons, there are no known injury concerns with Simmons. While there's a downward trend in his overall Pro Football Focus grades, his level of play has not broadly fallen off a cliff and there have reportedly been several teams interested in him lately.
The Lions and Justin Simmons are simply not a good match
Simmons can, will and should step in and start for whatever team he signs with. He should not have to compete for said starting job, it should naturally be given to him.
In naming his five best fits for Simmons, in line with some other opinions that are out there, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports put the Lions at No. 4.
"They got aggressive to upgrade cornerback, spending early draft picks on both Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. while adding veteran Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With second-year utility man Brian Branch well-suited in the slot, however, they could boost their Super Bowl aspirations with a more proven name at the back end alongside the solid Kerby Joseph."
Alongside Joseph at the other starting safety spot for the Lions right now is Ifeatu Melifonwu. Injuries have been a thing for him in his career, including a hand issue that restricted him to special teams for a stretch last season. But once he was healthy enough to be inserted into the starting lineup, he was simply a stud over the rest of the season.
As great as Brian Branch was as the Lions' slot corner last year, there has been ongoing talk he'll see more snaps at safety this year. The offseason additions at cornerback open the door to that, even if it would be foolish to take him off the slot all that much.
Joseph had offseason surgery to fix a hip issue he played a lot of last season with, and he recently (as training camp looms) said he feels markedly better than he did after suffering the injury last season. So any possible concern with Joseph's health, which theoretically kept the door open to the Lions adding a veteran starting-caliber safety before the season, appears to be put to bed.
Simmons deserves an immediate starting job, and it's fair to say he'd like to be paid decently even as he lingers available into teams reporting to camp. The Lions could pay him. But unless something unexpected happens on the injury (or injury recovery) front sometime soon, there is a not a match here between team and player.