Steve Palazzolo highlighted that Josh Simmons, once considered a top-15 talent before a patella injury, has stepped straight into the Chiefs’ starting left-tackle job and dominated pass protection in August. Palazzolo traced almost every sub-par Patrick Mahomes game back to pressure from the blind side and noted that when the left tackle holds up, Mahomes is elite. Through three preseason appearances Simmons has ceded virtually no ground, giving Mahomes a clean pocket and letting KC run its full vertical concept menu. Palazzolo believes Simmons’ emergence makes the Chiefs’ offense “really good again,” recommending bettors lean toward Kansas City team-total overs and maintain full confidence in Mahomes’ MVP futures.

Brandon Anderson said the Chiefs may have quietly solved their only lingering roster flaw by drafting Josh Simmons. He noted Kansas City still boasts an elite interior with center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith, but the loss of Joe Thuney forced a complete rebuild on the left side. Anderson cited offensive-line guru Brandon Thorne, who graded Simmons as the No. 1 overall line talent in the class before a college knee injury pushed him down draft boards. Early camp reports have Simmons moving well with no medical limitations, and Anderson believes Andy Heck’s coaching plus Patrick Mahomes’ pocket awareness can vault the unit back into a top-10 ranking as soon as mid-season. Bettors looking at Chiefs futures or fantasy drafters worried about Mahomes’ protection should treat Simmons’ emergence as a bullish signal that the pass game efficiency remains intact.

Josh Pate endorsed Josh Simmons as the safest offensive‑line investment in the 2025 class. Simmons jumped from the G5 level to Ohio State, immediately solved the Buckeyes’ chronic left‑tackle hole, and the staff "sighed with relief" by mid‑spring because the measurables (6'6", 310 with 34" arms) translated right away. When Simmons missed time late in the year, OSU had to change its entire offensive approach, a before‑and‑after data point Pate called "all the validation you need." Daily practice reps against a defensive line loaded with future draft picks provided NFL‑ready seasoning. For bettors eyeing first‑offensive‑lineman markets or dynasty managers factoring O‑line strength into rookie QB/RB landing spots, Pate’s takeaway is that Simmons is a near lock to start Week 1 wherever he lands.

Jones has Miami snagging Oregon left tackle Josh Simmons at No. 13, banking on clean medicals from February surgery to repair a patellar issue rather than an ACL. Ryan Wilson noted teams view Simmons as a mid‑first talent when healthy—he allowed just one sack on 397 pass‑block snaps after transferring from San Diego State and pairs 35‑inch arms with elite 3‑cone agility. Mike McDaniel’s offense surrendered 63 QB hits in 2024, second‑most among playoff teams, and Terron Armstead’s age/health makes tackle the roster’s top priority. Jones expects Simmons to be fully cleared for training camp and suggested taking the under on his 18.5 draft slot before medical skepticism fades closer to April.

Thor Nystrom slotted Ohio State’s Josh Simmons to the Rams at No. 26, calling him “the best Day‑1 value on the board if you can stomach red‑flag medicals.” Simmons posted an 86th‑percentile pass‑block efficiency before tearing his ACL against Oregon, then still logged a 9.18 RAS during Indy medical re‑checks—evidence, per Thor, that the knee is tracking ahead of schedule. The Rams can slow‑roll him thanks to Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein, but Havenstein’s deal expires after 2025; Simmons would be the long‑term bookend for whoever eventually replaces Matthew Stafford. Books leave his draft‑slot O/U at 39.5 on fears he slides to Day 2; Thor believes Los Angeles at 26 or Kansas City at 31 are the true floors and recommends pounding the Under and sprinkling on ‘Rams first pick – OT’ props that still show plus money.