Windy City Gridiron
The Mock Draft O.G., ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., dropped his pre-NFL Combine mock draft yesterday, and he has the Chicago Bears going in a different direction than many of the other recent mocks we’ve shared. His mock is based on what he’s hearing from executives, scouts, and coaches around the league.
10. Chicago Bears - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
If the Bears expect quarterback Caleb Williams to take a big step forward in 2025, they have buy him time in the pocket to actually make plays. Giving up 68 sacks (the most in the NFL) doesn’t breed success for any quarterback, let alone a rookie. Darnell Wright has the right tackle position locked down, but Chicago could replace Braxton Jones (recovering from an ankle injury) on the left side with Simmons. Of course, Simmons is coming back from his own injury (knee), but he should be good to go for camp and has great traits. I love his consistency and balance in pass protection.
His mock had LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell off the board at four to the Patriots, making Simmons the second offensive lineman mocked.
Simmons has played both tackle spots for the Buckeyes, and he has the length and has shown the athleticism to stick at tackle in the NFL.
If this is the direction the Bears go, he’d be the eventual successor for Braxton Jones at left tackle. Due to his knee injury, the Bears could bring him along slowly, allow him to play as a reserve in year one, then let Jones walk as a free agent in 2026 and slot Simmons right in.
What are your thoughts on this mock? Is this the way you’d like to see it go down?
