The Dallas Cowboys made a pair of significant additions to their defense at the NFL trade deadline, but owner Jerry Jones should continue exploring ways to improve the lackluster unit.
The Cowboys pulled off trades with the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson, respectively.
Dallas will also be getting a reinforcement at linebacker this week, as DeMarvion Overshown is expected to make his 2025 debut after being activated from the physically unable to perform list.
But the safety position remains one of the multiple question marks for Dallas on the defensive side of the ball with Malik Hooker on injured reserve and the overall play of the team's starting safeties not being up to snuff.
With that in mind, FanSided's Mark Powell believes the Cowboys are a possible landing spot for two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, who remains available on the open market in free agency.
Ex-Broncos safety Justin Simmons claims he has no bad blood with head coach Sean Payton, who let the two-time Pro Bowler go prior to the 2024 season. Simmons was a big-time acquisition by the Atlanta Falcons, but he didn't quite pan out there and is on the downswing of his NFL career. Simmons was known as one of the best run-stuffing safeties of his time, and if he can replicate that success even on a part-time basis, he is worth signing.
Enter the Dallas Cowboys, who despite sitting well behind in the NFC East and NFC Wild Card races, opted to buy at the deadline. The Cowboys added Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson, the former of which cost them a first-round pick and future second-round selection. If the Cowboys prefer to keep adding, Simmons would be a natural fit on a defense that ranks near the top of the league in rushing yards allowed.
It is very surprising to see Simmons still available given his experience and history as one of the better safeties in the NFL after two Pro Bowl and four All-Pro nods during his career.
Simmons may not be what he once was, but he most certainly could still start for many teams in the NFL.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old offers versatility with his ability be a box or free safety, and he has even played snaps in the slot.
Simmons has done most of his work as a free safety, though, and showed he can still make an impact in coverage after tallying a completion rate allowed of 59.5% and a passer rating against of 81.9 last season, two of the best marks of his career.
No matter where the Cowboys deploy him, Simmons would amount to a massive upgrade for Dallas. At this point, the Cowboys have nothing to lose by bringing Simmons in to see if he can further bolster their struggling unit.
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