As we continue later into the draft, the names on the screen become less and less recognizable, but that doesn’t mean that the players under those jerseys aren’t as important.
In the NFL, the vast majority of players starting across the league were taken after Rounds 1 and 2, and it’s no different with the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. So when John Elway selects Justin Simmons with the final pick of the third round, it’s probably a good idea that you get to know a little something about him.
So since most of Broncos Country hasn’t likely spent much time watching Boston College tape, here’s what you need to know about the newest member of the “No Fly Zone”:
He’s insanely athletic
Here’s a quote from ESPN’s Jeff Legwold:
“Justin Simmons tested among the most athletic players in the draft with a 40-inch vertical leap at the scouting combine and times in the agility drills that were on par with best skill position players on the board. All at 202 pounds.”
He’s an excellent run defender
According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons might just be the best run-stuffing safety in this year’s draft class, only missing five tackles all of last season.
He’s not a flashy safety, but he does all the dirty work you want from a third-round pick.
He’s a ballhawk
Simmons played a role in 10 turnovers last season. He caught five interceptions, forced two fumbles and recovered three more in just 12 games.
Again, he’s not going jump off the screen, but he’s going to make plays — a lot of them, hopefully.
He’s already looking forward to a career in coaching
According to NFL.com, while in his free time Simmons has begun coaching young kids in a local Pop Warner program. And while he won’t likely be able to begin a career as a coach for awhile (hopefully), he could quickly grow to become a coach on the field.
He’s versatile
During his junior season, Simmons split time between corner back and safety, and that versatility could translate nicely to the NFL. While he’ll be locked into a safety role in Denver, his ability to cover slot receivers and running backs could prove invaluable, much like David Bruton last year.