The Chiefs needed offensive line help and found their answer in Columbus. Kansas City selected Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons with the 32nd overall pick after trading down one spot with Philadelphia. The deal netted them an extra fifth-round pick, too. A former Eagles All-Pro center praised Simmons with bold comparisons to NFL stars. The Ohio State product brings impressive college credentials and physical tools. However, NFL analysts now question whether Simmons can be anything more than a substitute player in Kansas City’s championship-caliber offensive line rotation.
Wednesday brought franchise-changing predictions for Kansas City’s rookie tackle. A.Q. Shipley, the former NFL lineman, delivered the boldest take yet on Josh Simmons. “Josh Simmons, he is going to be their franchise LT for the next 10 to 12 years. They got an absolute steal with him, he looks fierce, he is as smooth as he can be,” Shipley declared with confidence. Jason Kelce piled on with even bigger praise. The Eagles legend compared Simmons to the game’s best left tackle on the New Heights podcast. “I’ve watched a lot of these linemen coming out the last few years. This kid, I mean, he is the closest thing I’ve seen to like a Trent Williams — like that next level strength and athleticism,” Kelce explained. “The only reason he fell to you guys is because of that injury.”
That injury ended Simmons’ Ohio State career after six games in 2024. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle transferred from San Diego State in 2023 and immediately locked down the Buckeyes’ left tackle spot. Thirteen starts in 2023, plus those six games before the knee injury, earned him honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from conference coaches. The Trent Williams comparison carries serious weight. Williams owns three All-Pro selections and eleven Pro Bowl appearances. The 49ers star missed the 2019 season, holding out from Washington, but has dominated since joining San Francisco. Pro Football Focus ranked Williams sixth among all tackles last season with an 85.6 overall grade.
AQ Shipley talked about how Josh Simmons is going to be the #Chiefs franchise LT.
via | @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/TrE7WvbndQ
— Starcade Media (@StarcadeMediaKC) July 30, 2025
Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis backed up Kelce’s assessment during a Fox Sports appearance. “Jason knows what he’s talking about when he’s talking about alignment, right? But, you know, there’s definitely a lot of shades [of Williams] there,” Karlaftis told Joy Taylor. “Just with the athleticism alone, his size, I think that’s a fair comparison, just off the intangibles alone, you know.” Kansas City desperately needed offensive line stability. They signed former 49ers lineman Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million deal this offseason, giving them two new tackles. The left tackle position has been a revolving door for years, costing them in crucial playoff moments.
Reports indicate Simmons is already on track to start at left tackle despite his injury recovery. The rookie’s combination of size, athleticism, and technique has impressed coaches throughout spring workouts. If the hype proves accurate, Kansas City just solved its biggest weakness with the draft’s final first-round pick.
This story is developing…..
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