With training camp now on the horizon, what is one final roster move that the Indianapolis Colts need to make?
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz recently answered this question for each NFL team, and when it came to the Colts, bolstering the safety depth by signing Justin Simmons is the move that was selected.
“Indianapolis could use some depth at the position since Daniel Scott has never seen the field in the regular season through two seasons and Hunter Wohler is a seventh-round rookie,” wrote Schatz. “Enter Simmons, who started for Atlanta last season and was second-team All-Pro in 2023. Simmons would also give Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo the ability to play three-safety packages.”
As Schatz notes, this addition wouldn’t change who the starters are for the Colts at safety–that would still be Cam Bynum and Nick Cross. But Simmons would provide much-needed depth.
Currently, behind Bynum and Cross on the depth chart is a lot of inexperience. While Rodney Thomas has played nearly 1,800 snaps in three seasons, his role in 2024 was significantly reduced, with him seeing fewer than 100 snaps. After Thomas, none of the other safeties on the depth chart have any NFL experience.
I also like Schatz’s point about Simmons’ presence allowing Lou Anarumo to utilize more three-safety looks. In this defensive scheme, there is going to be a much greater reliance on the defensive back positions.
Simmons played over 1,000 snaps last season for the Atlanta Falcons. He allowed 22 completions on 34 targets, 12.6 yards per catch, and came away with two interceptions and four pass breakups, per PFF.
In nine NFL seasons, Simmons is a two-time Pro Bowler and has been a second-team All-Pro four times, including as recently as 2023.
Salary cap-wise, the Colts have $20.13 million in available cap space, according to Over the Cap, which gives them enough room to make this addition, since no signing at this stage of the offseason will break the bank.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts urged to sign Justin Simmons, boost safety depth