The Kansas City Chiefs might have plucked Patrick Mahomes' future blindside protector with the final pick of the first round last week, grabbing Ohio State product Josh Simmons.
On Monday, Chiefs director of player personnel and college scouting Ryne Nutt compared Simmons to a couple of veteran offensive tackles.
"In terms of years past, I would say, Josh, when he was healthy at this year, this tape, would be one of the better ones in the last few years," Nutt said, via the team's official transcript. "He kind of reminds me of (Vikings left tackle) Christian Darrisaw, who's done really well for the Vikings. He's got a little bit of (LT in him who plays for the Chargers. The kid's arms are longer than I think people think, the (NFL Scouting) Combine measured him at 33 (inches) but his Pro Day -- or 34 and an eighth, and I think that's closer to what we kind of had, I think we had around 34 when we brought him in. The kid is super talented and super willing to work, and we're excited to have him where we got him."
The Chiefs swapped spots with the Philadelphia Eagles, moving back to the No. 32 pick to grab Simmons. The Buckeye might have been OT1 in 2025 if not for a season-ending non-contact knee injury in mid-October. The issue could affect his rookie season, but the Chiefs were comfortable with the medicals late in the first round.
"You could make your case for the best, but he's definitely in the top three in this draft class in terms of what he provides," Nutt said. "The only difference maybe between him and some other guys is he started two years and some of these other guys, like the LSU kid (Patriots LT Will Campbell) I think started more and you could say experience and stuff like that, but Josh is physically -- he is elite. I mean, he is big, he's strong, his feet jump off the tape. When you put this tape on, his set is as pretty as it looks now in terms of offensive line pass setting."
Nutt noted that Simmons going from right tackle at San Diego State before moving to the left side at Ohio State in 2023 adds to the blocker's ability. Simmons' pre-injury tape in 2024 jumped off the screen after he got comfortable on the blind side.
"He got better every year," Nutt said. "His first year at Ohio State he flipped to the left side from the right side the year prior, and I think it just took him a little time to adjust to just everything, like a new playbook, a new surrounding (and) a new position essentially. It's not as easy as people think going from the right side to the left side. There is a big difference and sometimes it just takes people a little longer, and I think that was the case with Josh.
"This last year, you can watch those six games, and it's not unfair to say he was the best tackle up to that point. It stinks he got injured because I do think -- I mean, I guess it's good for us because we got him and that's the only way we would've gotten him because that kid, he was a top-20 pick. It stinks for the kid, it hurt him on his wall and the money, but things happen for a reason, and it's kind of not where you start, it's where you finish, and I think just the setup here that we have with coach (Andy) Reid and (offensive line) coach (Andy) Heck is going to be great for this kid."
The Chiefs entered the offseason needing to bolster the offensive line after last season's disaster in the Super Bowl. They inked free-agent swing tackle Jaylon Moore from San Francisco, franchise-tagged Trey Smith, traded veteran Joe Thuney to Chicago, moved 2024 second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia to guard, and snagged Simmons in Round 1.
The last time the Chiefs got beat up in the Super Bowl against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the front office responded by completely revamping the O-line. The hope in Kansas City is that the 2025 version works out as well. If Simmons lives up to the hype when healthy, it would go a long way.