Throughout 2025’s NFL Draft process, the Kansas City Chiefs were so deeply linked to a single player that it was easy to believe it was a smokescreen. The predictions did come to pass, however, when Kansas City selected Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons on Thursday night.
Simmons was taken with the draft’s 32nd overall pick, rather than the Chiefs’ original 31st selection. Kansas City swapped places with the Philadelphia Eagles, gaining what was reported to be a fifth-round selection (164th overall) to move back one spot.
The reason for the pick is simple: twice since quarterback Patrick Mahomes became the team’s starter, Kansas City has been embarrassed by the play of offensive linemen in Super Bowl losses. Simmons’ acquisition clearly solidifies the offensive line.
The selection does, however, come with a significant caveat: the San Diego native would likely have been a top-10 selection without the knee injury he suffered last October.
We collected some social media reactions to Simmons’ selection — including one from the man himself.
Simmons calls himself a “quarterback protector”
Simmons is a talent rarely found so late in round one
I can’t comment on Simmons health. But he’s my 6th overall player in the class. Tier 1 player for me. If he’s physically right, this is the steal of the draft. https://t.co/PBhQ4ulJt0
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 25, 2025
Josh Simmons is such a great pickup for KC at No. 32 overall. He allowed just one sack on 443 pass-blocking snaps in 2023.
He was off to an even better start in 2024, yielding just one hurry (!!) on 158 pass-blocking snaps before getting hurt.
Incredible value. Love it!
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) April 25, 2025
Medicals came back “totally clean”
Simmons’ injury might not have been the only reason his draft stock fell
Several teams agree: Josh Simmons had best tape of any OT last year. And they aren’t very concerned with recovery on the torn patella tendon. More of the concern is maturity/character. But he’s going to the ideal, veteran-laden place.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 25, 2025
the #chiefs get LT Josh Simmons out of Ohio State. If Simmons didn’t suffer a torn patellar tendon he would have been the first tackle off the board. I had one team tell me he was the most athletic and talented tackle tape they watched. There are some maturity issues, but this…
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 25, 2025
Before the selection was even announced, Mahomes seemed to know he had a new blocker
A brotherly pair of former Chiefs offensive linemen had some thoughts
Simmons was OT1 before his injury. The Chiefs don’t “need” him right now so they can allow his knee to fully heal and have an offensive tackle of the future. There’s good value here. https://t.co/0hZMDb4Wnf
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) April 25, 2025
As the offseason continues to unfold, we’ll continue following Simmons’ path from injury recovery to (hopefully) the starting lineup.
