The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to find a consistent offensive line and addressed this in the 2025 NFL Draft as they selected offensive tackle Josh Simmons out of Ohio State. According to PFSN’s Ian Cummings, he was the third-best offensive tackle prospect in the draft behind Armand Membou and Will Campbell.
However, the team was able to get Simmons in the draft and feel like they were able to get a valuable player at a lesser draft position, as he was selected with the final pick in the first round. The team is high on what he could be for them right away and it will be interesting to see if he can prove the Chiefs correct.
Ryne Nutt Discusses What Drew Him to Drafting Josh Simmons
In a press conference to discuss the 2025 NFL Draft, Kansas City Chiefs Director of Player Personnel/College Scouting Ryne Nutt explained how the team was able to land offensive tackle Josh Simmons, and they believe that he is one of the top offensive tackles in the last few draft classes.
“You can watch those six games, and it’s not unfair to say he was the back tackle up to this point. It stinks he got injured because I do think – I guess it’s good for us because we got him and that’s the only way we would have gotten him.”
Last season, while playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Simmons suffered a torn patellar tendon in his knee. However, he is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. If he is not available for Week 1, expect incoming free agent Jaylon Moore to get the starting left tackle spot.
Nutt continued to explain who Simmons’ NFL comparisons are and they are certainly some of the top offensive tackles in the league.
“He kind of reminds me of Christian Darrisaw, who’s done very well for the Vikings. He’s got a little bit of [Rashawn Slater] in him for the Chargers.”
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That is certainly heaping some praise on the rookie offensive tackle as well as putting some lofty expectations on what he should be in the NFL.
The Chiefs finished 12th in the league with a 78.9 Offensive+ grade and 10th when factoring in the postseason with an 80.0 Offensive+ grade, per PFSN. So, there is room for this offense to grow and keeping Mahomes upright with an elite offensive tackle is one of the ways to help progress that side of the ball.
