Denver Broncos most pressing needs entering 2021 NFL Draft

3. Safety

The safety position over the last two seasons has not been much of an issue for the Denver Broncos.

In fact, it hasn’t really been an issue at all since the team paired up TJ Ward and Darian Stewart all the way back in the 2015 offseason.

Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson have been arguably the best duo of safeties in the NFL over the past two seasons, but the 2021 offseason has brought the Denver Broncos to a crossroads with both players.

Simmons played the 2020 season on the franchise tag and made the Pro Bowl after earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2019. He has been an absolute star and one of the only consistent creators of takeaways on the Broncos’ roster.

Kareem Jackson converted upon his arrival to Denver from cornerback to safety on a full-time basis and he has truly excelled there in Vic Fangio’s defense.

Simmons, however, is a free agent again in 2021. Jackson has a club option on his contract and is one of the team’s likeliest cap casualties because of his cap number and low dead money hit.

It seems unlikely the Broncos will let Simmons walk this offseason as they have the leverage of another franchise tag, but Jackson could be a casualty if they have to do that.

This 2021 safety class is a solid one with some starter-caliber players available in the day 2-3 range. The Broncos could also look into a good free agent safety class for some options as well.