One of the Broncos’ defensive backs landed on NFL.com’s list of the 10 best players in coverage for his play in 2019, and no it wasn’t Chris Harris Jr.
Safety Justin Simmons came in at No. 3 behind Patriots defensive backs Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. To qualify, players must have minimums of 200 coverages snaps and 40 targets. They were measured primarily by passer rating allowed, catch rate allowed below expectation, tight window percentage, target rate and average separation yards.
“Simmons’ ballhawk rate — the percentage of targets where the nearest defender made a play on the football (pass defensed or interception) — was 34.1 percent, the best among those meeting this established criteria by more than six percentage points,” NFL.com’s Nick Shook writes. “… Simmons is a stud with a bright future, and if there were still some folks out there who weren’t aware of his performance, these numbers should help open their eyes.”
Simmons recorded career highs in interceptions (4) and pass defections (15) last season.
The Broncos placed a franchise tag on the 26-year-old safety in March and general manager John Elway has said that the goal is “to make sure that Justin is a Bronco for a long time.”
— , The Denver Post
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