The Kansas City Chiefs might have found Patrick Mahomes’ future blindside protector with the final pick of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons.
On Monday Chiefs director of player personnel and college scouting, Ryne Nutt, offered a glowing comparison for the rookie. Likening Simmons to established NFL stars.
“When he was healthy this year, his tape was among the best we’ve seen in the last few drafts,” Nutt said, via the team’s official transcript.
“He reminds me of Christian Darrisaw from the Vikings and has a little bit of Rashawn Slater from the Chargers in him. His arm length, measured closer to 34 inches at his Pro Day, and athleticism make him really special. We’re thrilled to get him where we did.”
The Chiefs moved down to the No. 32 pick in a swap with the Philadelphia Eagles to grab Simmons. Pre-injury, the Buckeyes standout might have been a top-20 pick or even the first offensive tackle taken in 2025. A season-ending non-contact knee injury in October caused his stock to slip, but Kansas City was confident enough in the medical evaluations to pull the trigger late in Round 1.
“You could argue he’s one of the top three tackles in the draft,” Nutt added. “He’s elite physically: big, strong and quick-footed. His pass sets pop off the film.”
Simmons’ journey has showcased his adaptability. After starting his college career at right tackle for San Diego State, he transitioned to left tackle at Ohio State in 2023. A significant adjustment that paid off. Despite a learning curve early, Simmons’ final six games before the injury showed dominant play on the blind side.
“He improved every year,” Nutt said. “Switching sides isn’t easy, it’s like doing everything in reverse. But by 2024, he looked like the best tackle in the country before getting hurt. Honestly, without the injury, we probably wouldn’t have had a shot at drafting him.”
The Chiefs entered this offseason determined to rebuild the offensive line after their Super Bowl LVIII loss exposed critical weaknesses.
They’ve already signed swing tackle Jaylon Moore from San Francisco, placed the franchise tag on Trey Smith, traded veteran guard Joe Thuney to Chicago, moved 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia inside to guard and now added Simmons as a cornerstone for the future.
Kansas City has successfully rebuilt its offensive line once before, after their Super Bowl LV loss to Tampa Bay. They’re aiming to replicate that turnaround. If Josh Simmons can stay healthy and develop as expected, he could be a foundational piece protecting Mahomes for years to come.
