The Detroit Lions signed cornerback Kindle Vildor to a one-year contract. However, the Lions have yet to make an acquisition at safety this offseason. Interestingly, Justin Simmons, one of the top safeties in recent years, is still available.
According to Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire, Simmons is one of several potential NFL free agent targets that Detroit might pursue.
“If he’s still looking to ink before the draft—and he might not be—Detroit makes a ton of sense as a landing spot,” Risdon noted in an email. Simmons, like the departed C.J. Gardner-Johnson, can effectively play any safety position. He performs best in a split-safety role in coverage, however his man-coverage abilities have waned with age.
“He is the only player on this list who would undoubtedly start in Detroit, replacing either Kerby Joseph or Ifeatu Melifonwu in the starting lineup. He is also going to be rather expensive.
Simmons has been named second-team All-Pro four times in his career, including each of the last three seasons. For the first time, in 2023, he was named second-team All-Pro and played in the Pro Bowl.
Simmons recorded 70 combined tackles in 2023, including 2 tackles for loss. He also recorded eight pass defenses, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Risdon linked Simmons with the Lions approximately a week after Detroit’s head coach, Dan Campbell, stated a need to add safety depth.
“We’re still going to look for safety help,” Campbell said at the NFL’s annual meeting last week, according to The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. “That isn’t over either. We know we need some, again, to bring some competitiveness into the room. So, our eyes are there.”
The Denver Broncos cut Simmons on March 7 to save $14.5 million against the salary cap.
How Justin Simmons Might Fit With the Lions
It’s easy to see why Simmons is a desirable potential target for Detroit.
The Lions signed cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson to bolster a secondary that was 27th in passing yards allowed last season. Detroit also ranked 29th in net yards per pass attempt.
Adding Simmons would only strengthen the secondary’s back end.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Lions’ veteran safety, left the team this summer. However, Simmons, a four-time second-team All-Pro, has the potential to be a huge boost.
Simmons had six interceptions in 2022, which tied him for the NFL lead. He has 19 interceptions in the last four seasons. Simmons has also recorded at least 69 total tackles each year since 2018.
Ifeatu Melifonwu, a former third-round pick, performed well towards the conclusion of 2023. If Detroit signs Simmons, Melifonwu will most likely return to a reserve role, with Kerby Joseph starting at the other safety position.
Other Potential Safety Targets.
There’s only one issue with the Lions possibly targeting Simmons. But there’s a significant problem: money.
Simmons’ previous contract in Denver had an average annual salary of more than $15 million. This offseason, Spotrac predicted Simmons’ salary to be $22.2 million on a two-year contract.
According to Spotrac, the Lions have the seventh-most salary cap space in the NFL as of April 4, with $26.9 million available. So Simmons may fit under the threshold, but it would take up a significant portion of the team’s remaining cap space.
Furthermore, the Lions may feel confident with Melifonwu and Joseph as starters. If that’s the case, Detroit might add safety depth with a lower-cost purchase.
Assuming the Lions want veteran experience in any safety addition, they may look at Micah Hyde or Quandre Diggs. Hyde has been named second-team All-Pro twice in his career, most recently in 2021.
Diggs has received three Pro Bowl nominations. Signing him would also serve as a sort of homecoming. The Lions selected Diggs in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played the first four and a half seasons of his career in Detroit.
The draft is clearly another option for the Lions to get a safety.
Whether a veteran or a rookie, Detroit will almost certainly need to contract someone to add depth at safety. Aside from Joseph and Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph is the only Lions safety currently under contract for next season.
