The Kansas City Chiefs’ first-round pick is a popular one among national analysts.
In the weeks following the NFL Draft, the love for the Kansas City Chiefs’ selection of Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons at No. 32 overall continues to pour in.
In a wrap (2025 NFL draft: Experts debate best and worst picks, classes) posted Tuesday morning, ESPN asked 17 analysts to weigh in on their favorite pick of the entire draft. Two of them selected Simmons.
The experts
Jeremy Fowler: Offensive tackle Josh Simmons to the Chiefs (No. 32). My favorite picks typically come with some level of risk but tremendous upside. Simmons embodies that. Multiple scouts told me his tape was the best of any offensive tackle. Injury concerns are there, but if Kansas City maximizes Simmons’ potential, it has a premier left tackle for Patrick Mahomes’ next chapter.
Jason Reid: Simmons to the Chiefs. He could have been a top-five pick if he hadn’t sustained a knee injury in October. He displays a rare combination of power and quickness at the position. The Chiefs expect him to be ready by training camp.
The latest on Simmons
On Saturday, Simmons spoke to the media for the first time since arriving in Kansas City. He noted he would be limited during rookie minicamp, mostly studying his playbook while taking mental reps. In my look at Sunday’s practice, the Chiefs held Simmons back from anything involving contact, but he was able to partake in some individual drills.
On Sunday, head coach Andy Reid revealed that he was pleasantly surprised with how well Simmons moved during the drills he could do, so that is a good early sign that things are trending in the right direction. On Sunday night, Simmons signed his rookie contract.
Often, there seems to be disagreement regarding a particular player, especially coming out of college. With Simmons, there is a clear consensus: if he proves to be healthy, the Chiefs finally have their long-term left tackle — and apparently, a potential Pro Bowler.
AFC West selections
In other favorites picked by the ESPN panel, former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum and senior writer and injury analyst Stephania Bell chose Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty’s selection by the Las Vegas Raiders. Senior NFL reporter Kalyn Kahler picked wide receiver Tommy Mellott and quarterback Cam Miller to Las Vegas.
No other AFC West player was chosen.