One of the better position groups on the entire Denver Broncos’ team is at the safety spot. That’s nothing new for the Broncos, who have benefitted from some great safety play over the years from the likes of Dennis Smith, Steve Atwater, John Lynch, Brian Dawkins and T.J. Ward.
But that group will be threatened in 2020 as two of the team’s safeties will hit the free agent market unless re-signed by the team before then. Whether or not the Broncos are able to keep the entire group together remains to be seen.
Before any more talk of that, let’s look back at how these players fared in 2019.
Justin Simmons
Stats
Tackles: 93
Interceptions: 4
Pass deflections: 15
Quickly emerging as one of the best safeties in all of the NFL, Simmons is a player the Broncos simply must find a way to keep in Denver.
Simmons broke through in 2019 and played as well as any safety in the league. He was tied for second on the team in tackles and led the Broncos with four interceptions, one of which was an incredible snag against Patrick Mahomes.
Simmons will be a free agent this offseason and could be a candidate to receive the franchise tag.
Simmons is well on his way to being the team’s next great safety, much like the guys mentioned above.
Grade: A
Kareem Jackson
Stats
Tackles: 71
Interceptions: 2
Pass deflections: 10
Forced fumbles: 1
After the Broncos signed Jackson as a free agent, it was unclear whether he would play cornerback or safety. The team chose to use him at the safety spot and that moved paid off.
Jackson played quite well, completing an excellent duo at safety with Simmons. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles and also had a terrific fumble return for a touchdown off a lateral against his former team, the Houston Texans.
Jackson had one of the better years of his career in his first season with the Broncos and should be a strong piece of the defense moving forward. The only thing that brings his grade down a bit was the fact he was suspended for the final two games of the season after a DUI arrest in September.
Grade: B
Will Parks
Stats
Tackles: 35
Interceptions: 1
Sacks: 1
Pass deflections: 2
Forced fumbles: 1
Parks played on about 51 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 2019, according to Pro Football Reference. When called upon, Parks generally gets the job done.
He is not the best in coverage but he does provide timely plays and is a solid rotational safety. He will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Broncos would love to keep him in his current role but there is every chance that another team might offer him more money and a bigger role.
Grade: B-
Trey Marshall
Stats
Tackles: 25
Forced fumbles: 1
Fumble recoveries: 1
Marshall sits behind three good safeties and is rarely used on defense. But he is a key contributor on special teams. He played well for the team in 2019, chipping in on defense by forcing some turnovers.
Should Parks move on, Marshall could easily slide into his defensive role.
Grade: B
Overall grade
The safety play was terrific for the Broncos in 2019 and was arguably the biggest strength on the entire team.
Simmons and Jackson may not be Smith and Atwater, but they could become one of the better safety combinations in the league.
One of the key free agents to watch this offseason is Parks and should he move on, Marshall could have a big opportunity to earn a bigger role. It could also be a position the team looks to bolster in the draft.
Grade: B+
