ESPN picks Justin Simmons as Broncos’ 2021 non-QB…

It’s easy to see why Fangio feels that way — Simmons has had an impressive 2021 campaign in Denver. He has recorded five interceptions, tied for first among all NFL safeties this season, and 12 passes defensed, the second-most among all safeties.

“He is second on the team in tackles, leads in interceptions and is tied for the most passes defensed overall,” Legwold wrote. 

Simmons has been one of the biggest playmakers for Denver this season, and a key piece of its top-ranked scoring defense.

“Despite trading Von Miller last month, Bradley Chubb missing eight games and the team using eight different inside linebackers due to injury, the Broncos are tied for No. 1 in scoring defense,” Legwold wrote. “And Simmons is a big part of that, often working the deep parts of the field while being asked to fill in run support and work in coverage against a variety of players.”