Big Blue View
Is Simmons’ upside worth the risk?
Just how much risk is a team willing to take on?
That’s the question each of the 32 teams needs to ask themselves as they set up their draft boards. And for most picks, there’s a standard amount of risk that teams do their best to mitigate. But what about when the potential reward is high?
That’s the question facing teams with regard to Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons.
Simmons could have emerged as the top offensive tackle prospect in the draft class and a potential Top 10 pick. However, a torn patellar tendon suffered against Oregon in October of 2024 ended his season. It also threw his draft stock into deep uncertainty.
Simmons is one of the most talented offensive tackles in the draft — one of the most important and valuable positions on the field. But a torn patellar tendon is a very significant injury.
The New York Giants have intimate knowledge of that injury thanks to the Victor Cruz saga. And yet, they might also need an offensive tackle for the future, so could Simmons be worth the risk if he slides far enough?
Prospect: Josh Simmons (71)
Games Watched: vs. Notre Dame (2024), vs. Penn State (2024), vs. Iowa (2024)
Red Flags: Torn patellar tendon (2024)
Best traits
Josh Simmons is a good-sized and highly athletic offensive tackle.
Simmons has near-ideal size at 6-foot 4 ⅞ inches, 317 pounds, with 33-inch arms. He’s just a bit shorter than ideal and lacks particularly long arms, however his athleticism and hand usage help to compensate.
He has excellent movement skills, with quick, light feet which give him an effortless kick-slide. Simmons is a remarkably smooth mover in all directions and manages to seem as though he’s gliding over the turf while also keeping himself grounded and ready to anchor. He does a great job of keying the snap and is often moving in time with the center, and also flashes truly impressive quickness off the snap when he’s facing an explosive speed rusher. Simmons is able to cover a significant amount of ground with his kick-slide or vertical set, and does a good job of matching speed off the edge. He has solid hand usage and does a good job of placing his hands on defenders’ chest plates to maximize his length and take control early in the play.
Simmons’ movement skills also make him an effective zone blocker. He’s easily able to stress defenses laterally and stay in phase with his teammates. He’s also able to use his athleticism to win the positioning battle against defenders and turn them to open creases, or work up to the second level.
Worst traits
The most significant issue in Simmons’ evaluation is, of course, the injury that ended his 2024 season.
While Simmons is reportedly “way ahead of...
