The pick is in, and Patrick Mahomes has to be thrilled because the Kansas City Chiefs have used their first-round selection at No. 32 overall to bolster the offensive tackle position with the selection of Ohio State lineman Josh Simmons.
The Chiefs were originally slotted at No. 31 overall as the losing team in Super Bowl LIX, but they pulled off a quick swap with the Philadelphia Eagles to move back to No. 32, a more familiar spot for general manager Brett Veach, in order to pick up an extra pick on Day 3.
The Chiefs have been linked to Simmons for most of the pre-draft season as a high-ceiling tackle who was dealing with some significant issues that forced him to drop much farther down draft boards than expected given his production and talent.
The Chiefs are hoping for another offensive line hit after taking another medical risk up front.
The Chiefs have gone all-in on offensive tackle this offseason in an attempt to keep Mahomes upright and healthy after cycling through four different starters at left tackle—from Kingsley Suamataia to Wanya Morris and D.J. Humphries to Joe Thuney.
The Chiefs have already attempted to address the issues at tackle by signing Jaylon Moore in free agency, but he only signed a two-year deal and nothing is guaranteed there considering Moore has never been given a starting role before. Moore came to the Chiefs after backing up Trent Williams in San Francisco.
Simmons comes to the Chiefs as a potentially elite left tackle—something the team would have never been in range to get in any draft class—yet they’re also taking the risk that comes with his return from a patellar tendon injury last season. Simmons’ medical check-ups have been a major talking point, but the Chiefs have clearly done their homework and feel comfortable with the pick.
It’s telling that many tackle-needy teams went in another direction—including the Washington Commanders taking Josh Conerly shortly before the Chiefs picked—but Kansas City has been right on things before. Trey Smith stands as a great example of how the Chiefs rolled the dice on a medical concern and reaped the rewards.
At 6’5, 317 lbs., Simmons comes from a championship program as a longside blindside protector with 31 career starts split between the left and right side. If healthy, the Chiefs landed a blue-chip player at the tail end of the draft.
Here’s a complete list of the Chiefs’ remaining picks in the 2025 NFL Draft:
- Round 2 – No. 63 overall
- Round 3 – No. 66 overall
- Round 3 – No. 95 overall
- Round 4 – No. 133 overall
- Round 5 – No. 164 overall
- Round 7 – No. 226 overall
- Round 7 – No. 251 overall
- Round 7 – No. 256 overall
