The Colts are bringing in a top offensive tackle prospect for a closer look at team headquarters ahead of the NFL Draft.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Indianapolis Colts are hosting Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons, who’s regarded as one of the top prospects at his position in this year’s draft class:
Ohio St. OT Josh Simmons is visiting today with the Colts and Friday with the Chiefs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 10, 2025
The 6’5,” 317 pound redshirt junior (with 33” arms) started 6 games for the College Football Playoff National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes before missing the team’s final 10 games because of a torn patellar tendon in his left knee—still earning 3rd-Team All-Big Ten honors.
Simmons has solid size, length, athleticism, and footwork for the next level as an offensive tackle—although he’ll need to improve upon his playing strength.
Here’s his NFL.com draft profile:
Overview
An athletic tackle prospect with adequate size and length, Simmons has experience starting on both sides. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-October, so his recovery and timetable for return will need to be vetted. He’s a consistently fluid mover both inside the box and when asked to play in space, and he has the slide quickness to compete against NFL edge speed. He’s more positional than powerful in completing his run-blocking tasks, but he can fit into all schemes. Improved hand placement and latch-in strength can help better control opponents in both the run and pass games. Simmons can still be susceptible to twists and counters in pass pro, so he might need a year to continue honing his craft in that area before he is ready to take on NFL pocket hunters.
He’s projected to go in the later first round, and it would be surprising if he falls any further than the early second round. He’s expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 season.
As for the Colts, while the team restructured starting veteran right tackle Braden Smith’s deal, he’s entering the last year of his current contract and has had some availability concerns. It’s possible that Simmons could be their right tackle of the future, although 2nd-year swing-tackle Matt Goncalves held his own as a rookie there as a 2024 3rd round pick during limited starts and is another intriguing long-term option.
Selecting Simmons early on would be more of a forward looking decision because the Colts don’t have a glaring need at right tackle right now, but could relatively soon. The Colts have already ruled out Braden Smith playing right guard—and Simmons doesn’t seem like a fit there, where Indianapolis currently has a glaring vacancy along its starting offensive line.
If prized Penn State tight end Tyler Warren isn’t available near midway through the first round, Simmons could make some sense, especially if Indianapolis can trade down from the 14th overall pick and acquire more draft capital in the process (although it’s not a seller’s draft by any means).
