The Kansas City Chiefs are projected and anticipated to use the 31st selection in the first round of the NFL Draft next month on a left tackle. At least it is what the recent mock drafts say.
But then again, when has general manager Brett Veach listened to the pundits and did what they suggested?
Last season they traded up with the Buffalo Bills so they could take speedy wide receiver Xavier Worthy from Texas. No one saw that coming.
The Chiefs have to find a replacement at guard for Joe Thuney who was traded to the Chicago Bears. They also have to restructure an offensive line that got tortured by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
Tackle Jaylon Moore was signed in free agency from the San Francisco 49ers, but the offensive tackle started only 12 games over four years. He is not necessarily starter material.
Three mock drafts have the Chiefs staying at No. 31 and selecting tackle Josh Simmons of Ohio State University. He did not allow Buckeyes' quarterback Will Howard to be touched last season, let alone sacked.
NFL writer Daniel Flick liked Simmons to Kansas City because "He didn't allow a sack as Will Howard's blindside protector, and with experience at both left and right tackle, he projects as an early starter in the NFL-which should be music to the ears of Patrick Mahomes."
Flick thinks Simmons is a steal in the latter part of the round.
Ben Standig of The Athletic also projects Simmons to the Chiefs. He likes the pick because of Simmons ability to play so many positions on the line.
"The three-year starter for Ohio State would challenge Jaylon Moore on the left side, join the battle to replace left guard Joe Thuney or prep for the future while working as a needed swing tackle."
Related: Chiefs Reveal Offseason Plan To Acquire Left Tackle
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports said Simmons will only last toward the end of the first round because of the injury he suffered in October. He called Simmons "an ideal long-term project with potentially enormous upside at a valuable position in Kansas City."
By Kansas City usually going deep in the playoffs, they always pick late. Ideally there are better tackles out there, but they will not be in a position to draft any of them. Simmons is the best player they can get at the position under the circumstances.
Related: Andy Reid Breaks Silence on Chiefs Trading Joe Thuney to Bears
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This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 11:21 AM.