Popular 2025 NFL mock draft choice for the Chiefs could be the perfect option or the repeat of a critical mistake
The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for the final stretch of the 2024 NFL season and the upcoming postseason. Behind the scenes, Brett Veach and his staff are also focused on building the team for the future through the 2025 NFL Draft. Our NFL Draft team at A to Z Sports has been hard at work […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for the final stretch of the 2024 NFL season and the upcoming postseason. Behind the scenes, Brett Veach and his staff are also focused on building the team for the future through the 2025 NFL Draft.
Our NFL Draft team at A to Z Sports has been hard at work providing updated mock drafts as the college football season comes to a close. Two of the latest mock drafts, one from AJ Schulte and another from Ryan Roberts, each send the same player to the Chiefs at pick No. 31.
That player is none other than Ohio State OT Josh Simmons. The standout was on track to be perhaps the first offensive tackle off the board before suffering a season-ending knee injury in early October. The 6-foot-5 and 310-pound blindside protector is expected to be fully cleared for practice by the start of NFL training camps, but is he the right choice for the Chiefs?
Here's what Schulte said about Simmons to Kansas City:
The Chiefs have thrown multiple draft picks at their left tackle position in recent years. They've gone so poorly that the team had to sign D.J. Humphries off the street and he was cheered when he entered the game.
Josh Simmons suffered an ACL tear early in the season, but before that, he was on track to potentially be the first offensive tackle taken. This could be a steal for the Chiefs down the line. – A to Z Sports' AJ Schulte
Here's what Roberts said about Simmons to Kansas City:
The left tackle position has been a troubling one for the Chiefs, and continuing to strengthen the room is important. If Simmons hadn’t suffered an injury early this season, he could very well have gone higher. He brings impressive foot quickness, and an outstanding frame to the table. – A to Z Sports' Ryan Roberts
Is Josh Simmons a repeat of a critical mistake or the perfect option for the Chiefs?
The Chiefs have invested a lot of draft capital into the left tackle position since moving on from former No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher back in 2018. Whether we're talking about a trade acquisition or a draft pick, they've failed to find a long-term solution at the position.
To their credit, it's very, very difficult to draft a top-flight left tackle outside of the top 20 picks of the NFL draft. They've basically struck out on every attempt they've made under Chiefs GM Brett Veach to find a player at the position. In 2020, the took Lucas Niang in the third round. In 2022, they took Darian Kinnard in the fifth round. In 2023, they took Wanya Morris in the third round. In 2024, they took Kingsley Suamataia in the second round. Morris is probably the best of the bunch, with serviceable at-best performances at left tackle during his NFL career.
The Chiefs' biggest error has been looking for help in the draft rather than locking down a veteran. They attempted to do so in free agency when they made a run at San Francisco 49ers LT Trent Williams, but they couldn't complete the deal. They were unable to extend Orlando Brown Jr., and Donovan Smith was no more than a stopgap, but they've clearly had more luck trotting out veterans to protect Patrick Mahomes' blind side.
At the same time, it's hard to deny the track that Simmons was on before his injury. The injury just complicates things beyond the simple question of whether he can hack it as a left tackle in the NFL. If you're the Chiefs, can you afford to take that risk after striking out so many times before?
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