The Las Vegas Raiders did a good job addressing needs with their 11 picks in the 2025 NFL draft and had a strong three-day showing overall.
One need general manager John Spytek didn’t address was safety, where Las Vegas lost both of its 2024 starters and has Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao replacing them. The problem with that duo is Chinn has had an up-and-down career and his running mate, Pola-Mao, is unproven.
The Raiders have plenty of cap space, and $42.3 million, to be exact. That means Las Vegas can still go out and add a veteran starter, something AtoZ Sports’ Ian Valentino predicts they will do.
Valentino believes the Raiders will ultimately bring in four-time All-Pro safety Justin Simmons in free agency. Simmons is projected to land a one-year, $5.7 million deal, according to Spotrac, a price the Raiders can easily afford.
“Las Vegas has the opportunity to avoid making the same mistake, as they boast an elite pass rush and a track record of developing top-tier safeties under Pete Carroll. Although Simmons may not be as fast as before, he won’t need to cover as much ground with Maxx Crosby leading a formidable defensive front,” Valentino wrote. “He certainly represents an improvement over Lonnie Johnson, Isaiah Pola-Mao, and Chris Smith.”
Simmons was once considered one of the best safeties in the NFL during his days with the Denver Broncos. He secured four second-team All-Pro nods and two Pro Bowl selections over eight seasons with the Broncos, including in 2023.
Simmons spent the 2024 campaign with the Falcons, where he saw a drop off in his numbers. It’s tough to gauge how much of that was on Simmons, though, as he was part of a bottom-10 defense in Atlanta. Despite that, Simmons would still be a worthwhile addition for Las Vegas.
The former Falcon would bring a wealth of experience to the safeties room and would give the Raiders a formidable trio at the position for one season until Las Vegas figures things out for the long haul.
Simmons has expressed interest in joining a contender, something the Raiders don’t figure to be. But if his options are limited and he’s open to going to Las Vegas, the Raiders should definitely make a play for him to boost their back end.
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