Here is what NFL experts are saying about the Chiefs drafting Josh Simmons
Time will tell if the Chiefs got a steal in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night when they selected Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons with the 32nd overall pick.
But NFL media members were mostly impressed with the selection as the Chiefs look to upgrade their offensive line.
Multiple NFL experts gave the Chiefs a rave review about landing Simmons. Here is what was being said and written along with analysis of the choice.
The NFL Network’s Chad Reuter gave the Chiefs an A grade. This is part of what he wrote: “Simmons might have been a top-15 pick if not for the knee injury he suffered last season. He’s smooth in pass protection and does not back down from battling with defenders in the run game. This has a chance to be a great pick for Kansas City if the injury doesn’t cause him any significant issues going forward.”
USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz gave the Chiefs a B-plus for Simmons. Here is an excerpt from his story: “A torn patellar tendon suffered in October threw Simmons’ stock into a state of uncertainty throughout the pre-draft process. But a player who otherwise checked every box for a high-end pass blocker still ended up securing a Day 1 spot.”
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco gave the Chiefs and A-plus grade.
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner also raved about the pick.
“Patrick Mahomes isn’t the only reason the Chiefs are elite,” Baumgardner wrote. “Their ability to find outstanding value at the bottom of the first round, year after year, is something to behold — and they have done it again.
“Had Simmons not injured his knee in October, he might’ve been a top-10 pick, possibly even the first offensive lineman taken in this draft. His tape, when he was healthy, was outstanding. He moves around the field like a 300-pound basketball player.”
Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano gave the Chiefs a B for the pick.
“The Chiefs are rolling the dice on Simmons, who probably would have heard his name called a lot sooner if he hadn’t injured his knee in October to cut short his senior year,” Manzano wrote. “After starting his collegiate career as a right tackle for San Diego State, Simmons ascended as one of the best left tackles in the country. The nimble 6’ 5”, 317-pound lineman started 13 games at left tackle in 2023 before suffering a knee injury six games into his ’24 season.”
Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron has Simmons as the biggest steal of the first round.
Fox Sports’ Rob Rang likes that Simmons could play at either tackle position.
“He offers positional versatility, having starred early at left tackle for the Buckeyes after initially playing well at right tackle for San Diego State,” Rang wrote. “Andy Reid is well known for his eye for offensive linemen and his development of them. Like the Eagles a pick earlier, this is a grand larceny-type steal.”
The Chiefs received an A-minus from SB Nation’s Joseph Acosta.
This is a snippet from his story: “Simmons and the Chiefs felt like the dream scenario. Teams must be wary of the injury and character stuff, but on the field I thought he was one of the best tackles in the draft before a torn patellar tendon ended his season.”
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Here is what NFL experts are saying about the Chiefs drafting Josh Simmons."
