I will make this quick guys, because your time is precious. We all watched the Super Bowl this February. The Chiefs got anihilated on the interior by the Eagles. The Chiefs looked like they didn’t even belong on the same field as the Eagles.

The game of football is won in the trenches. I don’t care if you have Patrick Mahomes on your team. You have to win at the line of scrimmage, it’s that simple. Andy Reid has to know this so both offensive and defensive lines need a makeover. The offensive line was over-matched, and the defensive line didn’t apply any pressure on Jalen Hurts. The Jaylon Moore signing solves the Left Tackle issue for the short term, but he has never been counted on as a full-time starter. It would be smart to have a contingency plan.

Well, Brett Veach might have found his man in Ohio State Tackle Josh Simmons.

Josh Simmons may very well be the steal of the draft. Most draft Analysts and scouts had Simmons ranked as a top 3 tackle and even THE best tackle in the class. In my humble opinion, he would’ve gone No. 9 to the Saints, maybe even No. 4 if he was fully healthy. He is a rare blend of size, agility, athleticism, and technique. I feel extra qualified to talk about this dude because Ohio State is my team. I’ve loved them since the Terrell Pryor days. So I can tell you that Simmons was a major key to that offense. Not only giving Will Howard all day to throw, but opening semi-truck sized holes in the run game for Treyveon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. In 2023, this man was a freaking rock, only giving up 1 sack and 4 pressures in 13 games.

To me, I turn on his tape and I’m saying I really like this guy to be the most successful tackle in this class

– Cincinnati Bengals Left Tackle Orland Brown Jr via Unbuttoned Podcast

The best part is, the Chiefs have the flexibility to slow play Simmons’ return to football activities. It was a smart move from Veach (he’s really good at this drafting thing) to swap picks with the Eagles, netting them a a fifth-round pick for moving back to No. 32. I’m not sure why the Eagles felt the need to move up one spot for a player the Chiefs didn’t want anyway, let alone give up a draft pick for it. It wasn’t as head scratching as what the Falcons did, but it was rather odd. The Chiefs get a blue-chip prospect and someone who I think will be protecting Patrick’s blind side until he decides to retire.

Mahomes definitely gained a new friend in Josh Simmons today pic.twitter.com/czzidi9frL

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2025

Analysis: Simmons transferred from San Diego State to Ohio State last season and showed he could anchor an offensive line in a power conference. He’s moved from right tackle to Left Tackle in the last two years, and the move has paid off for him. He would have been an All-American if not for a non-contact patella injury in his left knee.

Simmons is a premier athlete on tape.

He has quickfire movement skills in space and when engaged with defenders, but most importantly, he sustains his effort through the whistle. pic.twitter.com/kmpQflzAVm

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 21, 2025

He was good in 2023, grading at 67.5 according to PFF, but he took it to another level in 2024 before he got hurt. He has the prototypical size for a left tackle to go along with 33″ arms which is exactly what Andy Reid and offensive line coach Andy Heck look for. He’s ultra fluid in his movement; the best athlete at his position in this class. He shows light feet when moving laterally. He has a wide base and doesn’t get pushed off his stance often. He shows the foot quickness to reset and reposition if he’s knocked off his course. He showed the ability to get out to open space and find blockers at the second and third level on screens. He only allowed 1 pressure on 158 drop backs. In 2023, he was at a 4.1% pressure rate. If it was not for the injury, Simmons would be a top-10 pick. He wont be ready until after training camp, but some teams wont take the risk. The Chiefs have the flexibility to bring him along slowly with newly signed LT Jaylon Moore in the lineup for 2025.

Opportunities:

• Hands are inconsistent. Tend to have a low starting point
• Can have tendency to lunge forward creating in balance.
• No true displacement strength in the run game
• Lower weight makes anchoring tougher (though good knee bend and balance helps)
• Injury prone moving forward? Biggest indicator of future injuries are previous injuries.
• Didn’t get to see him against the stronger portion of Ohio States schedule. Tape looks dominant, but didn’t show it against the best of the best in 2024.

Grade: A+