Official 2025 NFL Draft Superthread | Prospect Discussion

[dmac_bolt]

On the presser...and sorry if some of my observations have already been pointed out...2 things caught my attention.

First, in a nutshell, Joe expressed his opinion that an outside receiver does not need to possess some sort of prototypical size...its more about overall skills and traits, like speed/seperation, route running, hands...

Golden and Egbuke fans should find that interesting...

Second, I thought his reaction to the Asante Samuel question was telling...and ending with "...thats Asante's conversation, not mine..." Got a feeling there is not a good relationship there...figure he is gone for good.

The rest was pretty standard fair, and not surprising...did like his emphasis on BPA, and letting the draft come to you, and sticking to your board...

He said Egbuka. I already said Egbuka. Last year I said Ladd and then Joe said Ladd. Coincidence?
ASJ is not in Joe’s F&F club. Joe has had his fill of Jr.
Pablum. GM speak. Nothingfluff. The GM version of Coach: “we gotta play 60 minutes”

[Boltjolt]

I don't care what this so called 10% rate displays, Ferguson played 4 years in college Mason Taylor played 3 years in college and they both had the exact same number of drops 7!

You have to at the very least consider Ferguson for the Chargers if he's there in the 3rd or 4th! I'm pretty sure Herbert would be stoked to get him as a potential weapon!

Brock Bowers dropped six passes for the Raiders last season, does that mean he's a player to avoid? What are we even talking about in regard to Ferguson!

I'm not worried about his drop rate. He is my TE 5, but since I'm not so sure Fannin fits for us, he really for us is my TE4.

[21&500]

We need to talk about Josh...

I never bothered to consider Josh Simmons because I always saw him as a true OT prospect but this is a fascinating backstory, (The Beast) apparently he has a guard background in high school and was recruited as such (4 star guard/DT)
I'm wondering if he's open to playing LG in the NFL.
He's also a San Diego kid, loves his grandmother and has a strong athletic bloodline.
Oh, he was recruited and offered by many schools including Jim's Wolverines
Does this suddenly make him a dark horse at 22?
Does Jim love tackles so much he's willing to go back2back first round tackles?


ot3
TOP 100 RANK
20 Josh Simmons

Ohio State

HT

6′5″

WT

317

YR

4JR

AGE

22.33
Jump to:
Overview
Strengths
Weaknesses
Background
Stats Overview

hometown
San Diego, CA
high school
Helix
birthday
Dec. 26, 2002
jersey
#71

A two-year starter at Ohio State, Simmons lined up at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s diverse run game (gap/zone, pin-pulls, counters, etc.). After two seasons at San Diego State, he transferred to Columbus and blossomed while moving from right tackle to left tackle the past two seasons. Simmons was on pace over the first five games of the 2024 season to be an All-American and looked like a strong contender for OT1 in the draft class, but he suffered a non-contact knee injury in mid-October, which sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Simmons explodes out of his stance in pass protection and plays with knee-bend, balance and calmness to govern his movements, shoot his hands and stay square to pass rushers. He isn’t an overpowering mauler in the run game, but Kelly’s offense highlighted Simmons’ range when executing pulls, reaches, traps, etc. Overall, Simmons is a nimble, coordinated pass protector with tremendous athletic poise and the body control to be a long-term starting left tackle in the NFL. His pro projection hinges on medical feedback.

grade1st–2nd Round Testing

combine

6047

317

10″

33″

82″

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

No workout (med. exclusion: left knee);

pro day

6046

312

103/8″

341/8″

811/4″

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

33

Glossary


Back to top

Advertisement

Strengths

1. Light-footed in lateral slides, with good size and length
2. Took big step between 2023 and ‘24 seasons with efficiency getting out of stance
3. Maintains wide base, with terrific body fluidity
4. Shows terrific pacing to stay centered, both on move and once engaged
5. Patient yet direct with hands in pass pro to land accurate punches and stay connected
6. Able to rework or chop hands to regain leverage
7. Terrific when working in tandem to stymie stunts and games
8. Redirects well as run blocker to wall off lanes
9. Works in different snatch and slingshot techniques
10. Range jumps out on run pulls — often reaches landmarks one step before defender
11. Penalized just once in six starts in 2024 (false start vs. Oregon)
12. Experienced at both left and right tackle

Back to top Weaknesses

1. Needs to continue developing anchor to settle down after giving ground to bull rushes
2. Occasionally caught over-setting
3. Initial handwork needs to be better in run game
4. Not a true people-mover once he latches
5. Non-contact patella injury in left knee (Oct. 2024), which required season-ending surgery

Back to top

Advertisement

Background


Joshua “Josh” Simmons was born and raised in the San Diego area, with his mother (Anna Ma’afala). .
His father (Nelson), a switch-hitting outfielder, was a second-round pick in the 1981 MLB Draft and was called up to The Show for parts of three seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1984-85) and Baltimore Orioles (1987). Josh’s uncle (Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala) played fullback at Utah and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft (No. 178 overall), then played seven seasons in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1998-2002) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-04)

Josh’s half-brother (Goldy) played baseball at San Diego State and was selected in both the 2006 and 2007 MLB Draft. He was the Chicago White Sox director of strength and conditioning (2021-24) before being hired as head strength and conditioning coach for the Phoenix Suns (2024).

Josh Simmons started his prep career at James Madison High School in San Diego, where he was a multisport standout. After playing on the freshman football team his first year, he moved up to varsity as a sophomore and played both ways at left guard and defensive tackle (at 325 pounds). Simmons again lined up at left guard (one start at offensive tackle) and defensive tackle as a junior, but he slimmed down to 290 pounds and helped lead Madison to a 7-5 finish and 2019 state playoffs. He transferred for his senior season to Helix Charter High School in La Mesa, Calif., where he was teammates with several FBS recruits, including quarterback Tyler Buchner. However, Helix’s 2020 fall season was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simmons also lettered in basketball at Madison.

A four-star recruit, Simmons was the 25th-ranked interior offensive lineman in the 2021 recruiting class and the No. 30 recruit in California. Primarily an offensive guard and defensive tackle in high school, he was recruited to play offense by some programs and to play defense by others. After his sophomore season, Simmons attended multiple camps and pulled in his first offers from San Diego State and Utah State. He camped with USC and UCLA in the summer of 2019 and received offers from both schools. His “dream school,” Oregon, offered him on Christmas Eve 2019, and he committed to former head coach Mario Cristobal a month later. However, Simmons reopened his recruitment in April 2020 as offers poured in, including from Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State and a dozen others.

Because of the pandemic, he wasn’t ready to commit to a school without taking visits and “feeling the energy” in person. Simmons committed to nearby San Diego State, a school he was able to visit. That decision also allowed him to stay close to home, so he could help care for his grandmother (Tala’i), who died during Simmons’ freshman year at San Diego State.

After two seasons with the Aztecs, Simmons entered the transfer portal in April 2023 and committed to Ohio State — offensive line coach Justin Frye had first recruited him when Frye was at UCLA. After Simmons’ 2024 season was cut short because of a knee injury, he decided to skip his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.

[wu-dai clan]

1.What is being said around the league is that Samuel would have signed by now but for his possibly career ending neck and shoulder injury.

2. How many passes has Arroyo dropped...one. His route running is far beyond others, and if TPB doesn't realize yet that Egbuke can play outside, they also don't realize that Arroyo can surely play X. He has a thorough route tree.

3. Ramczyk retired yesterday. NO will draft an offensive tackle, Prolly Simmons. Not a Charger PON so our big board status improves.

4. Do not underestimate the ability of Devin Neal to gear up. gear down, navigate through NFL holes, again with elite vision and smooth lateral mobility.

4. We will be fortunate if Barryn Sorell is still on the board at #128. He is a perfect complement, understudy and comparable to Khalil. Dude is rising.

[dmac_bolt]

I don't care what this so called 10% rate displays, Ferguson played 4 years in college Mason Taylor played 3 years in college and they both had the exact same number of drops 7!

You have to at the very least consider Ferguson for the Chargers if he's there in the 3rd or 4th! I'm pretty sure Herbert would be stoked to get him as a potential weapon!

Brock Bowers dropped six passes for the Raiders last season, does that mean he's a player to avoid? What are we even talking about in regard to Ferguson!

Sometimes people will look at a relatively short segment of data and think it’s literal stone-cast eternal trend forevermore. Odds are near zero those two players will have the same drop stats next year. Zero- chance they have the same drop stats 2 yrs from now. Folks need to do actual scouting - HOW is he catching, what does he look like. Is he body-catching (where bounces increase drops), is he bobbling it often, does he show signs of poor catch technique?

I don’t see it in his tape. I agree with you, Ferguson in Rd3 would be a fine pick. That said, Taylor plucks balls from the sky like a hawk snatching a pigeon mid-flight, with purpose and focused strength. He appears to have uniquely above-average great hands. He won’t be there in Rd3.

I like both for their combo of speed and strength. These two are fast in their class but are not faux-TE hybrids - they are legit grown man TE size at ~250 each and can line up anywhere on the line including inline. and they can both punish DBs who foolishly try to square up in the open field. I am a bit tired of sluggish TEs that had ok college careers and can be disappeared on an NFL field against faster stronger defenders.

We’ve tried a couple faster TEs, but they were undersized and hence not useful in all formations - giving DCs clues whenever they are on the field

Colston
Mason
Terrance
Harold

some good talent to choose from there imo. Given lower TE value (its fact, all - let’s admit it), Joe may see a Day 2 option and pick a higher value position at 1. Or he may think BPA is a TE and just do it. Or he thinks Conk is better than consensus and can improve the team more with other positions. Who knows … until next Thursday!

[northerner]

On the presser...and sorry if some of my observations have already been pointed out...2 things caught my attention.

First, in a nutshell, Joe expressed his opinion that an outside receiver does not need to possess some sort of prototypical size...its more about overall skills and traits, like speed/seperation, route running, hands...

Golden and Egbuke fans should find that interesting...

Second, I thought his reaction to the Asante Samuel question was telling...and ending with "...thats Asante's conversation, not mine..." Got a feeling there is not a good relationship there...figure he is gone for good.

The rest was pretty standard fair, and not surprising...did like his emphasis on BPA, and letting the draft come to you, and sticking to your board...

yeah, Asante is long gone. it is no longer a mystery.

[Bolt4Knob]

On the presser...and sorry if some of my observations have already been pointed out...2 things caught my attention.

First, in a nutshell, Joe expressed his opinion that an outside receiver does not need to possess some sort of prototypical size...its more about overall skills and traits, like speed/seperation, route running, hands...

Golden and Egbuke fans should find that interesting...

Second, I thought his reaction to the Asante Samuel question was telling...and ending with "...thats Asante's conversation, not mine..." Got a feeling there is not a good relationship there...figure he is gone for good.

The rest was pretty standard fair, and not surprising...did like his emphasis on BPA, and letting the draft come to you, and sticking to your board...

The Ravens model. I mean, next week would it be any surprise if Zabel or Booker slides to 27 for the Ravens pick as they do have a need at OG.

[Boltjolt]

1.What is being said around the league is that Samuel would have signed by now but for his possibly career ending neck and shoulder injury.

2. How many passes has Arroyo dropped...one. His route running is far beyond others, and if TPB doesn't realize yet that Egbuke can play outside, they also don't realize that Arroyo can surely play X. He has a thorough route tree.

3. Ramczyk retired yesterday. NO will draft an offensive tackle, Prolly Simmons. Not a Charger PON so our big board status improves.

4. Do not underestimate the ability of Devin Neal to gear up. gear down, navigate through NFL holes, again with elite vision and smooth lateral mobility.

4. We will be fortunate if Barryn Sorell is still on the board at #128. He is a perfect complement, understudy and comparable to Khalil. Dude is rising.

Yep, Saints in a world of hurt lol. Ramczyk actually missed all last year and they have Penning and Juwan Johnson but yes a OT is now i need. Thinking QB is a bigger issue if Sanders or even Dart falls to them.

[CanadianBoltFan]

1. Ferguson drops passes. Stop salivating over athleticism.
2. Arroyo does not drop passes. Go ahead and salivate over athleticism.
3. Pop harping about Poona led to Hortiz stating that we made a competitive offer and it was Poona's decision to sign with the Rams.
4. Pop harping about IOL based on "what we saw last year" induced the Joe skankeye.

I am not sure if that means we are targeting Booker, so stifle yourself, or if it means leave Zion alone.

Joe might have pushed back with skankeye but Pop was absolutely right. The IOL disintregrated every time it faced a potent front 7. It was not good enough to hold up against contenders.

Simply switching Zion to center and Bozeman to LG and expecting a different result will not be good enough

[Bolt4Knob]

Yep, Saints in a world of hurt lol. Ramczyk actually missed all last year and they have Penning and Juwan Johnson but yes a OT is now i need. Thinking QB is a bigger issue if Sanders or even Dart falls to them.

Ramczyk retiring is not new - the Saints knew that was happening since last year

The Saints are a mess - they have needs everywhere

But QB is the biggest need

[CanadianBoltFan]

1.What is being said around the league is that Samuel would have signed by now but for his possibly career ending neck and shoulder injury.

2. How many passes has Arroyo dropped...one. His route running is far beyond others, and if TPB doesn't realize yet that Egbuke can play outside, they also don't realize that Arroyo can surely play X. He has a thorough route tree.

3. Ramczyk retired yesterday. NO will draft an offensive tackle, Prolly Simmons. Not a Charger PON so our big board status improves.

4. Do not underestimate the ability of Devin Neal to gear up. gear down, navigate through NFL holes, again with elite vision and smooth lateral mobility.

4. We will be fortunate if Barryn Sorell is still on the board at #128. He is a perfect complement, understudy and comparable to Khalil. Dude is rising.

Attaboy for taking the torch and promoting our boy Arroyo! We need some ceiling at TE and on this offense!

[dmac_bolt]

The Ravens model. I mean, next week would it be any surprise if Zabel or Booker slides to 27 for the Ravens pick as they do have a need at OG.

BPA, letting the draft come ... all standard fair to the point of cliche. what GM says "ok, I'm desperate for (POSITION X) and have to draft that. I just hope that player doesn't suck compared to other players on the board at different positions"? we all know GMs draft for position when its urgent - QB the most obvious and frequent example. Some shit QBS are taken every year just because they HAVE to have a QB.

Joe did a great job in FA that allows him to say BPA... Board credibly, kudos to his work so far (as one of the hair-on-fire hysterics early in FA - I bow with regrets for my impatience).

That doesn't mean he doesn't really have one or a small number of specifics in mind. we can't know. I guarantee if BPA is a QB, he ain't taking him. He didn't mention value for a R1 pick, but I guarantee he knows the benefit to the team when Rd1 picks are good starting position players that cost $30M+ on the FA market, vs those that only cost $10M to $15M.