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Kansas City Chiefs Garner High Praise for Landing Josh Simmons

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Apr 25, 2025 4:57 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs had to do something.

General Manager Brett Veach needed to add a significant upgrade to an offensive line that allowed Patrick Mahomes to withstand six sacks in a blowout loss in Super Bowl LIX, after surrendering 36 during the 2024 regular season.

So, Thursday night, the Chiefs actually traded back to the No. 32 selection in a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles before selecting standout Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons with the final pck of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Kansas City Chiefs’ Josh Simmons Selection Gets High Marks

One of the premier tackles in a strong class at the position, if Simmons is healthy, he has a lofty ceiling. So, it is no wonder that Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman of The Athletic are all-in on the Chiefs’ selection, giving it a solid “A” grade.

“Patrick Mahomes isn’t the only reason the Chiefs are elite,” Baumgardner writes for The Athletic. “Their ability to find outstanding value at the bottom of the first round, year after year, is something to behold — and they have done it again.

“Had Simmons not injured his knee in October, he might’ve been a top-10 pick, possibly even the first offensive lineman taken in this draft. His tape, when he was healthy, was outstanding. He moves around the field like a 300-pound basketball player. The upside here is terrific, so long as Simmons’ injury situation doesn’t linger.”

Last season, Simmons allowed just one quarterback hurry, and through his three seasons in Columbus he allowed only five sacks.

That kind of consistency is obviously a drawing card for the Chiefs and could do wonders for Mahomes and the offense in 2025, and beyond.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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