Nearly two years after he began his first All-Pro campaign and just months since he concluded first Pro Bowl season, safety Justin Simmons has a new accolade to his name: NFL Top 100 selection.
In the annual list, Simmons came in at No. 45, as ranked by a poll of NFL players around the league. NFL Network unveiled Nos. 100-41 on Sunday as part of a six-hour "The Top 100 Players of 2021" series. The remaining 40 players will be revealed in successive shows on Aug. 22 and Aug. 26.
Simmons has risen through the ranks at his position in recent years, and some observers from around the league consider him the best safety in the league.
"One of the best safeties if not the best safety in the league," Raiders tight end Darren Waller said of Simmons.
So too did Broncos GM George Paton, and he told Simmons as much when the two spoke on the phone after agreeing on a new long-term contract for the star safety.
But there's hopefully more in store for Simmons in his sixth season as he continues to improve.
"I go back and watch the film and I feel like there's a lot of plays that you're always trying to figure out," Simmons said in July. "'What was I thinking here?' How can I get better, whether that's a physically fatiguing thing or a mentally fatiguing thing. There's always plays out there where you can get better and can grow. I wholeheartedly 100 percent agree with that statement. If we're going to be where we want to be and get to the goals that we have set, I have to make those 20 plays better and I have to play at a higher level. I'm really excited for that. It'll be great. Every year is a new year. It doesn't matter what you did the year prior. That's what I'm looking forward to."
Simmons joins tackle Garett Bolles (No. 82) as Broncos who made this year's top-100 list.
View photos from Justin Simmons' 2020 season, which earned him a spot in the 2021 series of the NFL Top 100.
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) as he and Bryce Callahan (29) collide with Parker with 1:10 remaining in the NFL game , Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 in Denver. (Photo: Eric Lars Bakke)
Justin Simmons does a finger wag during the second half of the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 20, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons runs out of the tunnel before the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 20, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons intercepts a pass in the end zone to clinch victory during the Broncos' Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 22, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons on the tarmac at Denver International Airport on October 17, 2020 during the team's travel to New England for a Week 6 game against the Patriots. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons signals for an incomplete pass during the second half of the Broncos' Week 4 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, December 06, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons returns an interception as Kareem Jackson escorts him during the second half of the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 20, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts a pass during the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, January 03, 2021. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons reaches for but cannot come up with an interception during the second half of the Broncos' Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on September 14, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (97), safety Justin Simmons (31), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (57), safety P.J. Locke (37) celebrate after an interception during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, November 22, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) reacts after a play during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, November 22, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) reacts after a play during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, November 22, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) reacts after intercepting a pass in the end zone during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, November 22, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts a pass in the end zone during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, November 22, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos cornerback Davontae Harris (27), Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31), safety Kareem Jackson (22) during the NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mecedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, November 08, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (97), safety Justin Simmons (31), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (57), safety P.J. Locke (37) celebrate after an interception during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, November 22, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts the ball during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, November 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos guard Netane Muti (52), safety Justin Simmons (31), offensive tackle Demar Dotson (78) during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, November 22, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts a pass during the NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mecedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, November 08, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts a pass during the NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mecedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, November 08, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) pushes Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) during the NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mecedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, November 08, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts a pass during the first half of the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Denver, Colorado, Nov.1, 2020. (Photo: Eric Lars Bakke)
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) is congratulated by teammate P.J. Locke (37) after his interception during the third quarter of the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders ,Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 in Denver. (Photo: Eric Lars Bakke)
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts the ball during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, November 01, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) carries the balla fter a fumble recovery during the NFL game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foboro, Massechusetts, October 18, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts a pass and returns it 7-yards during the third quarter of the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders ,Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 in Denver. (Photo: Eric Lars Bakke)
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) carries the ball after an interception during the NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 20, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) celebrates an interception in the end zone to kill a Miami Dolphins scoring attempt with 1:10 remaining in the NFL game , Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 in Denver. (Photo: Eric Lars Bakke)
