Reporter addresses latest NFL position group to see market value drop

Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons.

Several positions, including quarterback, receiver, and defensive tackle, have seen their free-agent values soar in recent years. However, others have dropped in terms of interest shown around the league and teams' willingness to make lucrative long-term commitments.

Safety can be placed in the latter category, with several veteran producers in the position yet to land a deal. That will likely continue up to the start of training camps, the point when unsigned veterans often join new teams. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports this year’s group of free agent safeties are in line to receive low-cost, incentive-laden contracts this summer primarily.

While that update comes as little surprise given how the opening waves of free agency unfolded, it nevertheless underscores the financial landscape of the safety spot in most cases. Xavier McKinney landed $16.75M in annual average value on his Packers deal, one of the few at the position signed in short order in March. McKinney secured $23M guaranteed, a figure which at one point trailed only Derwin James (Chargers) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers) for locked-in compensation.

More recently, Antoine Winfield Jr. became the league’s highest-paid defensive back on his Buccaneers extension (four years, $84.1M). The pact replaced his franchise tag and included $45M guaranteed in full. While the top of the safety market has thus seen movement amongst players entering their prime, the position has generally not seen its veteran members receive interest from teams for big-ticket extensions.

Justin Simmons, Jamal Adams, Eddie Jackson, Quandre Diggs, Jordan Poyer and Marcus Maye were all released in cost-shedding moves this offseason. The latter two have since signed with the Dolphins, but the others remain on the market. Simmons — whose 30 interceptions since his arrival in 2016 lead the NFL — has not been linked to a prospective suitor since signs pointed to a Broncos reunion being unlikely.

Like all other veterans, the safeties still looking for a deal will likely settle for a one-year accord this summer to rebuild their value in 2024. Three-quarters of the NFL’s teams currently have at least eight figures in cap space, so the top options could try to command something of a bidding war if multiple suitors emerge, but such a scenario would be unlikely. It will be interesting to see if this offseason represents an outlier at the safety spot or the continuation of a larger financial trend at the position.

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