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Free agent safety Justin Simmons could be a major upgrade for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025.
The Las Vegas Raiders made some big investments into their struggling secondary this offseason, but one insider believes a big move could still be coming.
Reporter Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports broke down the top landing spots for two-time Pro-Bowl safety Justin Simmons, naming the Raiders as one of the most likely destinations. The Raiders already made an infusion of talent into their secondary in this year’s NFL draft, and Benjamin believes they could now add some veteran help as well.
Raiders Could Make Big Move in the Secondary
Benjamin noted that the Raiders have been linked to some of the top available cornerbacks, but suggested they could look to shore up the safety position instead.
“Linked to big-name cover men like Jaire Alexander and Jalen Ramsey thanks to their dearth of proven options at cornerback, the Raiders could just as easily use a savvy starter on the back end under the defensively minded Pete Carroll,” Benjamin wrote. “Besides possessing plenty of 2025 salary cap space to add help, the Raiders also employ pass game coordinator Joe Woods, who served as Simmons’ first defensive backs coach in Denver.”
Simmons started 16 games for the Atlanta Falcons last season, making 62 total tackles and two interceptions. He is coming off a $61 million deal with the Denver Broncos, where he spent the first eight seasons of his NFL career.
Simmons could have some other options in free agency. Benjamin suggested the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles could also be likely landing spots, noting that Simmons has already made it known he wants to play for the reigning Super Bowl champs.
“This is the fit that makes all the sense in the world, hence Simmons publicly and repeatedly identifying the Eagles as a preferred destination,” Benjamin wrote. “Philly could use proven insurance at safety after dealing ball hawk C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans, and Simmons played some of his finest football under Vic Fangio, who led the Eagles’ defense to a dominant Super Bowl title in 2024. It’s difficult to imagine a more ideal short-term marriage.”
Raiders Added Speed to the Secondary
The Raiders did add some talent to their secondary in the draft, taking Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter in the third round. He ran a 4.30 time in the 40-yard dash, with NFL Next Gen Stats ranking him as the second-most athletic cornerback at the NFL combine.
Porter was actually a wide receiver through high school and his first two seasons in college, switching to cornerback as an upperclassman. The rookie said it took a lot of hard work to make the transition.
“I think that’s about one of the hardest things you could do,” Porter said at rookie minicamp. “I think what separated me and allowed me to get to this point was how hard I worked at it. You know, obviously my athleticism would help me a lot, but I didn’t want to be the guy that had to rely on his athleticism. I wanted to be technical, and I wanted to know everything that I had to know.”
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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