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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Josh Simmons

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Steve Letizia | Last updated Feb 5, 2025 11:18 AM ET

Josh Simmons NFL Draft Profile

College: Ohio State
College Position: Left Tackle
Ideal NFL Position: Left Tackle
Height / Weight: 6'5 / 310
Year / Age: Senior / 22
Draft Projection: 1st round
Where I’d Take Him: Top 20

NFL Combine/Pro Day Results:

**TBD at NFL Combine and Pro Day

Background

Josh Simmons, born on December 26, 2002, in San Diego, California, started his high school football career at Madison High School before transferring to Helix High School in La Mesa, California. At Helix, he demonstrated his versatility as a dominant two-way lineman, excelling on both the offensive and defensive lines. His quickness off the ball and strength at the point of attack made him a standout player.

Rated as a four-star recruit, Simmons committed to San Diego State University despite receiving offers from prominent programs such as Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Washington. At San Diego State, he started all 13 games as a freshman in 2022, logging 799 snaps. Following his freshman season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to Ohio State University in 2023.

At Ohio State, Simmons claimed the starting left tackle position and started every game in the 2023 season. In 2024, Simmons elevated his performance to a new level. In six full games, he did not allow a single pressure, achieving an 82.0 PFF pass-block grade. Unfortunately, a knee injury in October cut his season short. Despite the injury, he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten.

Strengths

Elite Athleticism: Smooth and fluid mover capable of covering a lot of ground with excellent quickness and change of direction.
NFL LT Feet: Can mirror defensive ends and is rarely beaten by speed.
Hip Flexibility: Demonstrates natural flexibility to anchor against bull rushes and maintains balance to recover when beaten.
Run Game Mobility: Excels at pulling and reaching the second level, demonstrating a great ability to connect in space.
Strong Hands: Works independent hands with a strong punch and the ability to reset his hands quickly.
Length and Size: A prototypical frame for an NFL left tackle with long arms that keep defenders at bay.
Competitive Edge: Plays aggressively and finishes blocks with authority.

Weaknesses

Aggressive Tendencies: Sometimes overextends in the running game, resulting in balance issues.
Inconsistent Hand Placement: Needs to improve consistency to prevent NFL defenders from capitalizing on opportunities to counter.
Injury Concerns: A torn ACL in October 2024 will need medical clearance.
Limited dominant tape: He had a stellar season prior to the injury, although it was primarily against a lower level of competition.

Ohio State LT Josh Simmons #BuildingTheBoard

Simmons is one of my favorite offensive linemen I've scouted this cycle. At 6'5" and 310 pounds, Simmons combines ideal size and length with an athletic skill set that immediately jumps off the tape. Simmons has the natural hip… pic.twitter.com/VZHDsRIOjf
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) December 14, 2024

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Josh Simmons

Josh Simmons is one of the most intriguing offensive linemen in the 2025 draft. His unique combination of size, athleticism, and technical skill positions him as a potential cornerstone left tackle for an NFL franchise. In pass protection, Simmons’ ability to mirror edge rushers with a fluid kick slide and his skill in resetting his hands make him an ideal fit for modern NFL offenses. In the run game, he’s a powerhouse, especially in schemes that prioritize pulling or climbing to the second level. His talent for connecting with defenders in space distinguishes him from many linemen in this draft.

However, teams must address certain questions. His aggressive style sometimes leads to overextension, and he needs to refine his hand placement to avoid being exploited by savvy NFL defenders. Most importantly, Simmons’ torn ACL creates uncertainty around his draft stock. Without the chance to showcase his abilities at the Senior Bowl or other events, teams will need to depend on medical evaluations and footage from his shortened 2024 season.

For the Chicago Bears, the decision to draft Josh Simmons—or any left tackle—in the first round entirely depends on their assessment of the current starter, Braxton Jones. As I mentioned in my Josh Conerly scouting report, Jones has proven to be a solid NFL starter and is likely to be more dependable in 2025 than any rookie tackle they might reasonably select, particularly Simmons, who is recovering from a significant injury. With Caleb Williams' development being the franchise’s top priority, it raises the question of whether the Bears can afford to potentially weaken the offensive line in the short term.

If the Bears draft Simmons, it would indicate that they view his long-term potential as a possible top-10 left tackle and believe the short-term decline from Jones in 2025 would be minimal. This outlook is certainly plausible given Simmons’ impressive performance this past season. He possesses the size, athleticism, and technical skills to become an elite tackle and could be a significant addition if his medical evaluations are positive. In this scenario, Simmons would step in as the starting left tackle, allowing Jones to move to another position or provide valuable depth.

Assuming Ben Johnson will bring more gap concepts to the Bears' identity than we have seen in years past, Simmons is a perfect fit. He can be the wrap puller on counter plays, and he is adept at hitting targets when on the move and in open space. Below is just one example of how Johnson utilized his tackles' athleticism, in this case, Penei Sewell, on counter plays to get them out in space. With that in mind, it's easy to see how Simmons's skill set would appeal to Johnson.