Josh Simmons NFL Draft Concerns Anonymous Scout
iStockphoto / © Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Disp / USA TODAY NETWORK
NFL Draft season is upon us and Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons is the latest player to be the subject of criticism from anonymous scouts. One particular scout thinks he has mental issues.
I always question the legitimacy of these “reports” because of the ulterior motive that may or may not be involved, but these latest comments were too explosive not to catch my attention.
Simmons, who began his college football career with two years at San Diego State, transferred to Ohio State in 2023. He spent two years with the Buckeyes but his senior season was cut short due to a torn patella. It is believed that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery and will be ready for the start of the 2025 season, which will be his rookie year in the NFL.
The injury is not a concern for organizations on the next level. Josh Simmons is still projected as a first-round pick in most mock drafts. There is no way that he slips out of the second round, at very worst.
At 6-foot-5, 317 pounds, Simmons shows impressive spatial awareness, regularly beats the rusher to the spot with a flat or 45-degree set, moves fluid and loose with excellent quickness at the snap, and has great balance. He also threw up 33 reps on the bench press at Ohio State’s Pro Day on Wednesday.
Josh Simmons is an absolute monster.
33 reps on the bench🏋️💪@OhioStateFB @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/bct7rbbuFb
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 26, 2025
However, not every professional scout is as high on Simmons as others. Bob McGinn writes a position-by-position preview of the NFL Draft each and every year, dating back to 1992. This year’s breakdown of the offensive tackle position did not go well for the former Aztec and Buckeye.
One scout said that his torn patellar tendon is “definitely going to drop him.” Fine, that makes sense. There is legitimate concern with knee injuries. I get it.
A different team removed Simmons from consideration because of “makeup issues.” The unnamed organization is not high on his NFL potential. Not every team is going to agree on every prospect. One will be right, the others will be wrong. It happens.
Another scout said something much worse. He or she labeled him as “kind of a f—–,” which I imagine ends with an -er not an -ot.
His (issues) are more football character. He has a complete bulls— sense of urgency, like a total finesse player. Mental is an issue.
— Anonymous scout, via Bob McGinn
Yikes! That is not a positive review.
Maybe this is an attempt to plummet Josh Simmons’ draft stock. A team that could be really high on what he will bring to their offense might want him to slip to their pick. That happens a lot.
Maybe this is legit. Maybe Simmons does have character issues. His mentality could be a real issue. I am not in a position to comment. I do not know him as a person or as a player.
Either way, this is a scathing takedown. To essentially care that he does not care about football is a red flag. But is it true? Is it enough of a concern for his stock to drop? We’ll see.
Grayson Weir BroBible editor avatar