Now Is The Perfect Time For The Dolphins To Sign Justin Simmons
Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
When the Miami Dolphins begin mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, it will be their first time when most of their players will practice together. A good chunk of the team’s star players were not present during OTAs, so there weren’t too many major takeaways one could make. While pads won’t come on until training camp, we’ll get a very early look at where things stand with the Dolphins unofficial depth chart over the next couple of days as reports from beat writers and practice footage spread throughout social media.
Given the fact that the Dolphins most recent signing was nearly a month ago, the team seems to be content with their current roster heading into minicamp. However, I think now would be the perfect time for Chris Grier and company to make one last splash signing right as all the veterans make their way back to Baptist Health Training Complex. I’m sure you’ve read a million articles about it by now, but Justin Simmons would be a great addition for the Dolphins if they can make the money work.
It’s no secret that Simmons is a great player. For years, he was considered to be one of the best safeties in the league. In 2019, Justin had a career year where he graded as an elite player in nearly every PFF metric except for pass rushing, which honestly isn’t all that important as a safety. Since then, Justin has made second team All-Pro four times and has earned two trips to the Pro Bowl. The only reason Simmons was cut is because the Denver Broncos were cap-strapped after the fallout of the Russell Wilson saga; it has nothing to do with his current abilities as he turns 31 in November.
Aside from the fact that Justin Simmons is arguably the best free agent still on the market, the Miami Dolphins depth at safety is highly questionable at best, and downright atrocious at its worst. Jevon Holland is great, and Jordan Poyer may still have some gas left in the tank. After that, you just have a bunch of misfits and some dudes they picked up off the street. Nik Needham, who was a slot corner for the Dolphins last season, is considered to be the favorite to be Miami’s third safety. You also have Elijah Campbell who is on his third team in five years along with sixth round rookie Patrick McMorris, and that’s pretty much it.
Signing Justin now would give him enough time to learn the Dolphins playbook, and he’d be an immediate upgrade over Nik Needham and even Jordan Poyer at his age. Additionally, if they signed Simmons to a two-year deal for example, then they’d still have a Pro-Bowl caliber safety on the roster in 2025. Jevon Holland is entering the last year of his contract, and acknowledged in a recent press conference that he’ll likely have to wait until Tua gets a new deal before he gets his. I think Miami wants to keep Holland around long-term, but it’s nice to have a reliable fall-back option in case things go south.
Now, if Miami were to wait until Needham eventually struggles at training camp, then they’d either be forced to rely on Needham as that third safety to start the season. Either that, or they’d be rushing Simmons onto the field without much preparation. Neither of those are ideal situations to be in if you’re the Dolphins. Which is why now is the perfect time for Miami to make another big move by signing Justin Simmons.
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