Simmons didn't just gain experience; he gained confidence, which he cites as the biggest area of improvement as he heads into his second season.

"I think the only thing that will change is the confidence factor," he said during OTAs. "Just to put [it] plainly, I think going into Year 2, I'm just looking to be more confident. I'm in the defensive system now, going into my second year. I have a bunch of vets that I'm watching daily, go through the reps that I can consistently learn from."

Simmons gives the Broncos a first-team caliber safety off the bench. His range exceeds that of most at his position, and his ability to track the football make a play downfield gives him a chance to be among the league's interception leaders once his opportunities increase.

He repeatedly intercepted passes during OTAs in May and June, and his nose for the football caught the eyes of Head Coach Vance Joseph.

"He's around the ball all the time," Joseph said during OTAs. "He's a guy that has a high football I.Q. He's long and tall, so when he's in those windows, he's made two or three interceptions that nobody else could make out there because of the height and the length.