The Kansas City Chiefs selected Josh Simmons with the final pick – 32nd overall – of the first round in the 2025 NFL Draft to add to Patrick Mahomes’ protection ahead of the upcoming season
17:21 ET, 27 Jun 2025Updated 17:21 ET, 27 Jun 2025
Josh Simmons is preparing for his rookie NFL season with the Chiefs(Image: Getty Images)
Jason Kelce praised Kansas City Chiefs rookie Josh Simmons and compared him to San Francisco 49ers phenom Trent Williams.
Back in April, the Chiefs addressed the offensive line in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft when the franchise selected Ohio State tackle Simmons. The Chiefs felt they needed to upgrade Patrick Mahomes’ protection after the Philadelphia Eagles consistently disrupted his rhythm in the Super Bowl blowout loss.
Simmons joins the Chiefs as the second early offensive line pick in as many years. The AFC West franchise took BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia with the 63rd overall pick a year ago, but he struggled when chucked into game action.
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As a result, Simmons was brought in. He has immense upside but suffered a concerning patellar tendon injury that ended his season prematurely while his Buckeyes went on to win the national championship.
Simmons is still recovering from the injury, and the tackle has demonstrated substantial progress as he returns to full strength. Speaking on his ‘New Heights’ podcast with brother Travis, Kelce outlined his thoughts on Simmons and praised his college tape.
“I’ve watched a lot of these linemen coming out the last few years,” Kelce said. “This kid, I mean, he is the closest thing I’ve seen to like a Trent Williams – like that next level strength and athleticism. The only reason he fell to you guys is because of that injury.”
Travis outlined how the rookie effectively stood in as a scout team defensive end. He admitted Simmons manhandled him during the scout session.
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Josh Simmons is preparing to play for the first time since suffering a horrific knee injury last season(Image: Getty Images)
“He was playing defensive end as just like a scout team defensive end, and he was just playing his gap, but he was being a pro,” Travis said. “He was being locked in and being a pro.
“And I felt that man’s hands grab me, and I was like, ‘All right, I gotta come with it, even when he’s just giving the look. I gotta make sure I’ve got my feet planted, man.’”
Simmons’ reputation seems to precede him throughout the Chiefs organization. Kansas City guard Trey Smith – who signed a long-term deal this offseason – admitted he had only heard good things following spring activities, and the guard looks forward to teaming up alongside Simmons in the trenches.
“I haven’t seen him in action, but I just heard that he is so strong, like, unbelievably strong,” Smith said. “So Trav, as you (were) saying about his hands, like, that’s perfect from what I’m hearing.
“But obviously, the talent is there, man. He’s gonna be a great asset to the team. And I’m looking forward to it, bro.”