The Green Bay Packers received a physically gifted and versatile offensive lineman coming off a major injury in the first round of Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft for NFL.com.
At No. 23 overall in the first round, Jeremiah sent Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons to the Packers.
From Jeremiah: “Simmons is coming off a knee injury, but he’s as gifted as any offensive lineman in the class. He also has the tools to play multiple spots on the O-line, something Green Bay has always valued.”
Simmons, listed at 6-5 and 310 pounds, gave up only a single pressure in pass protection across six games and 158 snaps played in 2024. He had season-ending knee surgery in October.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN he expects Simmons will be cleared in time for the start of training camp this summer.
A San Diego State transfer, Simmons played over 1,100 snaps at left tackle for the Buckeyes over the last two seasons and has experience at right tackle as recently as 2022. Since 2023, Simmons has allowed only five total sacks (one) and quarterback hits (four).
Simmons ranks as Jeremiah’s No. 30 overall player in his top 50 prospects as of Jan. 28.
His scouting report:
Simmons is a gifted left tackle prospect. He was having an outstanding 2024 campaign before suffering a season-ending knee injury in October. He has excellent size, movement skills and balance. In the passing game, he has a smooth/fluid set. He can easily redirect and plays with a wide/firm base. He uses a sharp punch before steering and controlling defenders. He will overset on occasion, but he’s nimble enough to redirect and recover. In the run game, he plays under control, stays on his feet and maintains leverage/position. He can adjust in space on combos. The main question with Simmons is health. What he put on tape this fall should generate plenty of optimism about his chances of becoming a quality starting left tackle in the NFL.
Simmons ranks much higher for Dane Brugler of The Athletic, who has the Ohio State tackle as his No. 17 overall player.
Simmons made a strong case over the first month of the season for OT1 status in this class, before a non-contact knee injury ended his year. His projection is still somewhat in limbo until NFL teams get updated medical info on his patella injury. If fully healthy, Simmons has the body control and nimble feet to be a starting blindside tackle in the NFL.
The Packers drafted Arizona’s Jordan Morgan in the first round of last year’s draft, but he worked inside at guard as a rookie and could be an expected starter at guard as a second-year player in 2025. The Packers like Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom as a tackle duo, but Walker is heading into a contract year and Tom is a five-position player who will likely get a mega contract extension at some point this offseason.
In Simmons, the Packers would get a valuable insurance policy at offensive tackle and an opportunity to keep developing top-tier talent in front of Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs. It’s possible Simmons could be the long-term blindside protector at left tackle, especially if the Packers aren’t sold on Walker as being worth a long-term extension after 2025.