Chiefs GM Brett Veach lands top target in Ohio State LT Josh Simmons after trade that adds an extra 2025 NFL Draft pick on Day 3
After a trade back with the Philadelphia Eagles, which netted them picks Nos. 32 and 164 (Round 5, originally via Detroit Lions), the Kansas City Chiefs' pick is officially in!With the 32nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Chiefs select Ohio State LT Josh Simmons, widely considered the team's top draft target. The last […]
After a trade back with the Philadelphia Eagles, which netted them picks Nos. 32 and 164 (Round 5, originally via Detroit Lions), the Kansas City Chiefs' pick is officially in!
With the 32nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Chiefs select Ohio State LT Josh Simmons, widely considered the team's top draft target.
The last time they selected a player at pick No. 32 overall came two seasons ago in the 2020 NFL Draft, when the team took RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire. They had the 32nd pick a season ago, but traded up in Round 1 to select WR Xavier Worthy.
Everything to know about Ohio State LT Josh Simmons
Age: 22
A to Z Sports Draft Projection: No. 16 overall, Round 1
Scouting Report: Josh Simmons is an elite athlete at the tackle position. With the frame, feet, and athleticism of an ideal starter, his ceiling is very high. The issue is, he has a lot working against him early in his career. For starters, a recent knee injury that ended his season in October is a concern (which sadly made him miss the Buckeyes national championship win). And for an offensive tackle, he has a lot of sizzle but not always the most steak. He can be overpowered at times, though that may be a technical issue more than a play strength one. Developing his instincts, technique, and game plan against power will be critical for Simmons to reach his potential. Because if he does, with those feet, hips, and his athleticism, he can be a starter, if not more for the next decade. – A to Z Sports' Rob Gregson
Career Projection: Eventual Good Starter
Why does Josh Simmons make sense for the Chiefs
Even with the Chiefs’ decision to sign Jaylon Moore in free agency, the offensive tackle position remained a massive need for the team moving forward. Moore is on a two-year deal, averaging $15M per year. The 2025 NFL season marks the last year that Jawaan Taylor has guaranteed money on his contract, and cutting him in 2026 can save the Chiefs a boatload of salary cap space.
“You always have to have one eye on the present and one eye on the future, so I think that obviously, any chance that you have to draft a guy that you can project to be a starting left tackle, you do that, and they’re really hard to come by,” Chiefs GM Brett Veach said ahead of the draft. “It’s not one of those things that – I mean, look, you can hit on any position throughout the course of the draft but consistently those slam dunk franchise tackles, they’re typically top 15 (or) top 20 picks so if one does slide or if you’re able to get one, even in the late rounds that you think has a higher upside than some of those prospects in past years. You don’t ever shy away from that position.”
The team simply doesn’t have long-term solutions at either position ahead of the draft. Whether Simmons plays left tackle or right tackle in Kansas City, ultimately doesn't matter. He's the type of solution they need, and they've got time to let him come back slowly from the knee injury with Moore in the fold.