2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Cody Simon

From four-star recruit to captain, Block O jersey, and national champion, Cody Simon had a full collegiate career. He was an uber-productive player of the Buckeyes’ defense for four years, culminating in a breakout season in 2024. Simon is expected to be a late-round pick, but his leadership and playmaking abilities should be exciting for any NFL team picking him up.

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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Cody Simon

Height: 6’1″
Weight: 229 pounds
Arms: 31 1/4″
Hands: 9 3/4 ”
40-yard: 4.60
Vertical: 33 1/2″
RAS: 8.35
School: Ohio State

Cody Simon NFL Draft Overview

Intially a four-star linebacker out of New Jersey, Simon was highly sought after, but he chose the Buckeyes. As a freshman in 2020, Simon appeared in six games, mostly as a special-teams role player. In 2021, he took a step forward and was part of the linebacker rotation, logging 54 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, and one interception.

It was more of the same in 2022 as he was part of the rotation at linebacker. In 12 games, Simon amassed 32 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble. His 2023 season was another step up with 57 tackles, three for loss, and two pass breakups.

However, in 2024, Simon was a leader on the defense. He was elected captain and even donned the Block O jersey, given to the Buckeye who exemplifies being a Buckeye. As the starter, Simon had a breakout. He finished the national championship season with 112 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Simon was a force when finally given his opportunity. He was a premier piece of the Buckeyes’ top-ranked defense and should be a value pick who will be able to contribute right away.

Strengths

• Good play recognition
• Can play in space and in congested areas
• Has the physicality to disrupt receivers coming across the middle
• Can cover in-line tight ends when asked
• Knows when and how to shoot the gaps
• Adept at timing on blitzes when rushing the quarterback
• Solid tackler
• 8.35 RAS
• Captain, Block O

Weaknesses

• Arms are a tad short
• Short-area agility and long speed are lacking
• Loses the ball in the backfield on option plays and gets caught looking in play action
• Will need to add some mass to his frame

Best Fits: Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders

Projection: Sixth Round

Bottom Line on Cody Simon

This year’s linebacker class is not the strongest with an elite top-end group. There are plenty of solid prospects that can be had at a value and Simon is one of those players.

He can be a day-one contributor in the right system due to his ability to rush the passer, shoot the gaps, and drop into coverage. NFL teams that hold leadership qualities in high regard will prioritize Simon on day three. On a defense with NFL-bound players at every level (eight this year, three next year, with one possibly going in the top 10), Simon was the go-to guy for coaches.

Simon is a tad small for what NFL teams may want out of a MIKE linebacker, but he showed that he has the playmaking ability to make up for it. It wasn’t like he was racking up stats against sub-par competition, either. Simon led the way in the College Football Playoff with 38 tackles, four tackles for loss, and a pair of pass breakups against Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame, three offenses with NFL players littered within.