The San Francisco 49ers are happy with their starting safety unit as it stands going into 2024, but would they consider adding an All-Pro if it were feasible? In the past few weeks, both Justin Simmons and Jamal Adams—who between them have seven All-Pro selections to their credit—were surprisingly cut by their teams. If the 49ers did not at least explore the possibility of adding an All-Pro to their roster, they would not be acting responsibly.
Justin Simmons Has the Potential to Improve the 49ers’ Secondary Free Safety If signed by the San Francisco 49ers, Justin Simmons might replace Ji’Ayir Brown, the team’s current starter. Though Simmons just adds more versatility and experience to the 49ers defence, this is by no means a criticism to Brown. Simmons is positioned throughout the Broncos defence. He has played 15% of snaps in the slot, 29% in the box, and 54% as a free safety, according to Pro Football Focus. This kind of adaptability might make all the difference for the 49ers defence, which is already very good.
Despite wearing a Denver Broncos uniform for 118 games in his career, Justin Simmons has never participated in a postseason game. If he were to wear red and gold, this would almost certainly happen, and it might influence his choice of action. A one-year contract would fit the San Francisco 49ers’ budget considerably better than a large multi-year one, hence it is unlikely that they would extend an offer to Simmons. Going into free agency, Simmons will have to determine whether winning is more important to him than money.
Potential Career Resurrection for Jamal Adams in 49ers Uniform
Following a couple of dismal seasons, Jamal Adams will search for the finest opportunity to resume his career after being cut by the Seattle Seahawks. Where better than San Francisco, where he would be participating in a well-known scheme? Adams has been most successful when playing in a 4-3 defence, which is how he has spent the majority of his playing career. Although he is now the starting strong safety, Talanoa Hufanga is recovering from an ACL tear. The Adams signing would at least give depth if Hufanga does not return to his previous level of play.
