Breer: Rams would be good fit for this All-Pro free agent

The idea of snagging safety Justin Simmons while he’s available has been appealing to L.A. Rams fans since the Broncos released him, but the 2023 Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro has no reason to rush his decision. When Simmons finally does decide where to play next, SI’s Albert Breer sees the Rams as a good fit for him schematically.

From Memo (@memopau_arcadia): Where do you see Justin Simmons landing?

Memo, I think it’ll be a contender, and probably one that he’d have some background with.

The Philadelphia Eagles are one obvious place to look, since Simmons’s old coach, Vic Fangio, is there, as is his old position coach, Christian Parker. I guess you could say the same for Ejiro Evero with the Carolina Panthers, since they have a need there—I just don’t think the Panthers would appeal to Simmons. The Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams run similar schemes as well, that’d fit Simmons.

The team that Breer mentioned as the best fit for Simmons was the San Francisco 49ers, where he would be able to play for former Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Simmons and Staley were both with the Broncos in 2019.

L.A.’s current safety depth chart includes free agent Kamren Curl and third round pick Kamren Kinchens, but neither would be blocking Simmons from playing his ideal role as the backend safety covering the deep middle. Instead, Simmons would supplant Russ Yeast and keep Jason Taylor and Tanner Ingle buried on the depth chart.

Simmons made his second career Pro Bowl in 2023, his eighth season in the NFL after being a third round pick out of Boston College in 2016. He had 70 tackles, three interceptions, and one sack. Simmons has 30 career interceptions, but 23 of those have come in just the past five seasons alone. If he chooses to play for Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, he’d get immediately playing time as a full-time starter and he’d join a team that won the Super Bowl two years ago and made the playoffs last season.

Nobody can say for sure what style Shula is going to bring to the table, especially since this is the first time in a long time without Aaron Donald, but Justin Simmons should appeal to just about any coach.

Will the Rams appeal to Simmons?