Simmons might find yourself being a little bit of a mission within the NFL. After a redshirt season at San Diego State, Simmons began a season at proper sort out for the Aztecs earlier than transferring to Columbus and switching to left sort out. As a redshirt junior, Simmons returned to start out on the left aspect for one more yr earlier than struggling a season-ending knee damage.
In his time with the Buckeyes, the 22-year-old displayed quickness off the road of scrimmage and spectacular steadiness. Whereas he isn’t a lot of a bulldozer within the run recreation, his quickness can assist him be efficient on pulls. What actually shines for Simmons is his go blocking talents, which had been adequate to place him in consideration for OT1 honors within the draft class, had he not skilled his damage setback.
He received’t be a mission as a result of he must develop, he’ll doubtlessly be a mission as a result of his highway again to 100% well being could also be a little bit of a journey. The damage led him to be the fifth sort out taken within the draft and the eighth offensive lineman taken. If it was poor play that led to his slide, he might have slipped out of the primary spherical altogether.
Due to his damage, although, any group that drafted him was possible going to need to use a first-round decide on him in order that the fifth-year choice provides them a little bit of extra time to judge his prospects for a second NFL contract.
In Kansas Metropolis, final yr’s beginning tackles, Jawaan Taylor and Wanya Morris, had been something however spectacular. The group additionally has final yr’s second-round decide, Kingsley Suamataia, and free agent signing Jaylon Moore to work with, as nicely.
Suamataia began the primary two video games for the Chiefs at proper sort out final yr earlier than being benched for Morris, whereas Moore completed the final portion of 2024 filling in for Trent Williams because the 49ers beginning left sort out.
In a great state of affairs, it could be asking a whole lot of Simmons to leap into a contest that might see any mixture of two of Taylor, Morris, Suamataia, and Moore bookending the road. He falls into an ideal state of affairs, although, the place, certain, loads of query marks stay on the depth chart, however there are many choices who can man the spots successfully till Simmons is recovered and able to compete and contribute. His fifth-year choice provides him a little bit of respiration room to point out his value earlier than his rookie deal expires.
Simmons is simply the primary Chiefs rookie to signal their contract. The group has six extra gamers from their draft class that also must ink their offers.
