The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly eyeing a major defensive upgrade, and it could come in the form of a seasoned, high-impact veteran. After a disappointing 4-13 season plagued by defensive lapses, the Raiders are aggressively rebuilding their roster—and now, all eyes are on former Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons.
NFL analyst Ian Valentino from The 33rd Team has pegged the Raiders as the best possible landing spot for Simmons, a two-time Pro Bowler and four-time Second-Team All-Pro. Simmons, who has earned $70 million over his career, most recently started 16 games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, proving he still has plenty left in the tank. He allowed just 22 receptions on 37 targets for 229 yards and three touchdowns—solid numbers that make him an instant upgrade over the Raiders’ current depth at safety, which includes Lonnie Johnson, Isaiah Pola-Mao, and Chris Smith.
Despite being 31, Simmons’ veteran instincts and playmaking ability remain sharp. His experience and football IQ could be exactly what the Raiders’ secondary needs to complement their improving front seven, led by star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. As Valentino points out, Simmons wouldn’t need to cover nearly as much ground behind a more formidable pass rush, giving him the chance to thrive in a less demanding role.
The Raiders have already taken steps to revamp their defense this offseason, inking safety Jeremy Chinn to a two-year, $16.2 million deal and re-signing defensive end Malcolm Koonce for one year at $11 million. But bringing in Simmons could take this rebuild to another level.
Las Vegas’ pass defense ranked middle-of-the-pack in 2024—15th in passing yards allowed (216.1 per game) and a concerning tie for 26th in passing touchdowns allowed (29). Simmons’ presence could help shore up a unit that too often gave up big plays through the air.
Perhaps the best part? Simmons could come at a bargain. According to Spotrac, his projected market value is a modest $5.8 million annually—a steal for a player with his résumé and leadership pedigree.
If the Raiders pull the trigger, Simmons could be a low-risk, high-reward signing that not only upgrades the secondary but helps shift the defensive culture. With training camp approaching, this is one move fans should be watching very closely.
