Free Agent Justin Simmons Signs with Bucs' NFC South Rival

While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to claim the NFC South for a fourth straight season, one of their fiercest rivals has made a strong push to ensure that does not happen. But that surge has come quickly within a 24-hour span.

The Atlanta Falcons signed former Denver Bronco Justin Simmons Thursday , plugging him in as an immediate starter in the team's secondary. One of the few premium targets left on the free agent market, Simmons is a valuable get for the Bucs' divisional foe.

Falcons' safety DeMarcco Hellams will miss significant time with an ankle injury, meaning a void needed to be filled at this spot before the season. Atlanta checked that box and then some.

Simmons will pair with Jessie Bates III to form one of the best tandems in the NFL. Bates posted his best campaign in his professional career last season with 132 tackles, six interceptions and a PFF grade of 90.6.

But Simmons is merely the second prized defender Atlanta has acquired this week after their move for Matthew Judon Wednesday evening. Both will serve the Atlanta defense well in their respective areas and lift the unit above its previously expected level for this season.

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The Bucs' biggest offseason moves all came in-house with big money for some homegrown stars. While these recent acquisitions balance the scales in terms of activity, the Falcons offseason was layered on the foundation of acquiring talent from the outside, namely new quarterback Kirk Cousins.

They serve as two different approaches but both should be well positioned for NFC South and playoff contention. If it was not clear who Tampa Bay's top opposition for the division title was, Atlanta's has made that answer abundantly clear this week.