The Kansas City Chiefs will make their first pick in the NFL Draft at No. 31 on Thursday unless there's some sort of big trade made.
Who could the Chiefs end up taking? Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer said the Chiefs are "well-positioned" to take a risk on Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons.
"What you need to know: Most folks expect the Chiefs to go in on fixing their offensive line, with a couple of the four picks they have inside the top 100," Breer said. "They’d be well-positioned to take a risk on Simmons, who likely won’t be cleared to practice until after camp starts, and has maturity questions, but would benefit in a big way from going to a program like Kansas City’s.
"A lot of scouts and coaches believe he’s got the best potential to become a top-shelf left tackle of any player in the draft, though that would be the second year in a row they Chiefs take such a chance on the offensive line, after picking Kingsley Suamataia in the second round last year."
Simmons is currently ranked as the No. 4 offensive tackle in this draft class, but missed most of the 2024 season due to injury.
"Simmons started 13 games at right tackle at San Diego State in 2022 and 19 games at left tackle at Ohio State the past two seasons," ESPN's Steve Muench said. "He missed most of the 2024 season after tearing a patellar tendon and didn't work out at the combine. But the expectation is he'll be ready for the start of the 2025 season. His arms are short, yet he's quick and takes sound angles pushing out to speed rushers. Simmons delivers a strong punch at the top of his pass set. He mirrors well and is tough to beat when he gets his hands inside.
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"He can seal the edge, work up to the second level and cut off backside defenders in the run game, making him a good fit for zone-heavy schemes. He can get into position and wall off defenders on man/gap runs. Simmons is not an overpowering mauler, but he played with more of an edge on his 2024 tape than he did on his 2023 tape."
What will Kansas City do?
More NFL: All-American University of Oregon tackle named “ideal pick” for Chiefs in first round