2025 NFL Draft prospect profile – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Is Simmons’ upside worth the risk?

Just how much risk is a team willing to take on?

That’s the question each of the 32 teams needs to ask themselves as they set up their draft boards. And for most picks, there’s a standard amount of risk that teams do their best to mitigate. But what about when the potential reward is high?

That’s the question facing teams with regard to Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons.

Simmons could have emerged as the top offensive tackle prospect in the draft class and a potential Top 10 pick. However, a torn patellar tendon suffered against Oregon in October of 2024 ended his season. It also threw his draft stock into deep uncertainty.

Simmons is one of the most talented offensive tackles in the draft — one of the most important and valuable positions on the field. But a torn patellar tendon is a very significant injury.

The New York Giants have intimate knowledge of that injury thanks to the Victor Cruz saga. And yet, they might also need an offensive tackle for the future, so could Simmons be worth the risk if he slides far enough?

Prospect: Josh Simmons (71)
Games Watched: vs. Notre Dame (2024), vs. Penn State (2024), vs. Iowa (2024)
Red Flags: Torn patellar tendon (2024)

Measurables

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths

Best traits

• Athleticism
• Footwork
• Hand usage
• Pass protection
• Zone blocking

Josh Simmons is a good-sized and highly athletic offensive tackle.

Simmons has near-ideal size at 6-foot 4 ⅞ inches, 317 pounds, with 33-inch arms. He’s just a bit shorter than ideal and lacks particularly long arms, however his athleticism and hand usage help to compensate.

He has excellent movement skills, with quick, light feet which give him an effortless kick-slide. Simmons is a remarkably smooth mover in all directions and manages to seem as though he’s gliding over the turf while also keeping himself grounded and ready to anchor. He does a great job of keying the snap and is often moving in time with the center, and also flashes truly impressive quickness off the snap when he’s facing an explosive speed rusher. Simmons is able to cover a significant amount of ground with his kick-slide or vertical set, and does a good job of matching speed off the edge. He has solid hand usage and does a good job of placing his hands on defenders’ chest plates to maximize his length and take control early in the play.

Simmons’ movement skills also make him an effective zone blocker. He’s easily able to stress defenses laterally and stay in phase with his teammates. He’s also able to use his athleticism to win the positioning battle against defenders and turn them to open creases, or work up to the second level.

Weaknesses

Worst traits

• Injury concerns
• Man-gap blocking

The most significant issue in Simmons’ evaluation is, of course, the injury that ended his 2024 season.

While Simmons is reportedly “way ahead of schedule” in his recovery, teams will need to pay very close attention to his medical reports. A torn patellar tendon is no small matter and his recovery may last long past his return to play. It’s possible that he might not return to form until 2026, and teams will need to understand his risk of reinjury or degenerative issues.

Knee injury aside, Simmons is more suited to zone blocking schemes and man-gap schemes. He isn’t a people-mover in the run game and is much better when using positioning or his athleticism to stress defenses.

Likewise, he can struggle when asked to match up against raw power. He’s able to use his footwork to “lose slow” but a chip block or an option for a quick checkdown would likely be welcome.

Game Tape

(Simmons is the Ohio State left tackle wearing number 71.)

Projection

When healthy, Josh Simmons looks like a first round talent at offensive tackle.

He doesn’t quite have ideal measurables and his play strength is merely average, but his pass protection and movement skills are certainly starting caliber. His value would be highest for teams that base their running games in zone blocking schemes, but he should have value for most teams in the NFL.

However, Simmons isn’t healthy (yet). His recovery and prognosis will play a crucial role in his ultimate draft stock. Simmons could still be a first round selection if teams are comfortable with his medical reports. His best outcome might be to land with a team that can let him sit and continue his development and recovery before challenging for a starting job in 2026.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes, pending medicals

Final Word: A first round talent