The Kansas City Chiefs have cemented their status as the elite team in the NFL, reaching five of the last six Super Bowls and coming close to making history as the first franchise to win three consecutive championships.
However, their offensive line remains a notable vulnerability, particularly in pass protection. One of the primary issues was Wanya Morris, who struggled throughout the season, allowing five sacks and earning a lackluster 55.4 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. These struggles prompted the Chiefs to move Joe Thuney to left tackle late in the year, even though his natural position is offensive guard.
Though the Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore this offseason, he hasn't proven himself as a reliable starter, having only started five games last year for San Francisco. Additionally, the team shifted their 2024 second-round pick, Kingsley Suamataia, from left tackle to offensive guard, despite Suamataia’s projection as a left tackle coming out of BYU.
Why Josh Simmons would be a great pick
Given these changes, it seems highly likely that the Chiefs will target a left tackle with their 31st overall pick in the first round. Ohio State’s Josh Simmons would be an ideal candidate for this position.
Simmons stands out due to his exceptional athleticism, making him a perfect fit for left tackle in the NFL. His pass protection is top-tier, allowing just one sack over the last two seasons. His mobility also translates to the run game, as he excels at reaching the second level on blocks, which fits seamlessly into the Chiefs' zone-blocking scheme. Additionally, Simmons has impressive body control and rarely gets knocked off balance.
33 bench press reps for @movethesticks' No. 35 prospect Josh Simmons 😤
— NFL (@NFL) March 26, 2025
That would've tied him for the most at this year's Combine ‼️ @OhioStateFB
(via @StaceyDales) pic.twitter.com/QNy9nQriiI
So why might Simmons, a potential top left tackle prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, still be available late in the first round? The main concern is a knee injury that limited him to just six games last season and prevented him from participating in the NFL Combine. Another drawback is his relative lack of physicality, which is why he’s better suited for the left tackle role rather than the more physically demanding right tackle spot. He also has a high penalty count, with 26 infractions over the last three seasons, although only one occurred this past year.
If the Chiefs manage to draft Simmons at 31st overall, they would likely start him as a backup to Moore, allowing him time to fully recover from his knee injury. By 2026, Simmons could compete for a starting role, eventually replacing Moore when his contract expires in two years.