Simmons’ pain could be the Texans’ gain.
One of the Biggest enigmas in the NFL Draft is one of its biggest players. Standing at 6’6”, 315 pounds, Josh Simmons has the look and feel of a prototypical NFL offensive tackle. What is holding him back is his mid-season knee injury and off the field resume. Sporting a nose ring and big earrings at his NFL Combine interview, Simmons confidently fenced several rumored character issues with the media. Considering the Texans recently jettisoned Laremy Tunsil for the same non-football flaw, it is difficult to imagine them drafting a similar project even if the value and fit are perfect.
Past Prospects:
Simmons transferred from San Diego State to Ohio State after his freshman season. The move came with a transition from right tackle to left, which is his more natural position.
Simmons knee appears to be healing well as he participated in Ohio State’s Pro Day. It certainly doesn’t appear to affect his chest press…
Josh Simmons is an absolute monster.
33 reps on the bench ️ @OhioStateFB @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/bct7rbbuFb— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 26, 2025
BATTLE RED ANALYSIS:
Simmons’ ceiling is immense. His tenacity, footwork, and technical nuance are among the best—if not the best—in this draft class. While he’s not a fully polished prospect—lacking extensive tape against top-tier speed rushers in 2024 and occasionally hooking defenders when beaten—he represents tremendous value for the Texans based on the film available.
Speaking of that film, his most impressive performance prior to his injury against Oregon came versus Iowa. Ohio State consistently schemed to get Simmons into space, leveraging his size advantage against Iowa’s linebackers and secondary. His synergy with guard Donovan Edwards was outstanding—an area where Laremy Tunsil struggled in a his role here.
In contrast, Simmons’ final game of the 2024 season against Oregon raised several red flags, particularly in the opening quarter. The environment appeared to rattle him early; he was flagged for a false start, had a breakdown in communication with guard Donovan Jackson that resulted in an unblocked edge rusher delivering a hit on the quarterback, and was cleanly shed on a run play that ended in a backfield tackle. While the knee injury he sustained later in the game is a factor, it’s notable, and concerning, that his most inconsistent tape came against the highest-caliber defensive front he faced all year.
Here’s my summary of several games of film:
Pass Protection:
- Best hand usage and resetting in the class
- Better against power than speed
- Quality foot speed and coordination – rarely off balance even during contact
- Urgent kick-slide gets NFL-caliber width and depth
- Works well in concert with guard
- Feints hand to get defensive ends to incorrectly lunge
- Can grip and hold when defensive ends turn their shoulders to get around him
Run Game:
- Fantastic aggression through the whistle
- Could use same tenacity when he’s the point of attach; prefers to wall off defenders
- Great-pre snap disguise; rarely tips his cards where he is going
- Can false step when blocking down (right footed tendency)
- Can improve leg drive after initial contact
- Prefers to scoop inside and wall off defenders
- Stands up too quickly after contact and can be inflexible in open space
- Prefers to shield and wedge than drive and displace
Simmons is as technical and tenacious of a tackle there is in the class. If he was able to stay healthy and get a full year of BIG 10 and playoff football under him, he would be a top 15, if not higher pick.
THE FIT:
If selected by Houston, Simmons would be the incumbent left tackle behind Cam Robinson to begin the season. This would benefit both parties as Simmons can get another couple months of preparation coming off a significant knee injury before being thrown into the fire. Simmons doesn’t project as a guard and is a true tackle prospect. Simmons could shift over to right tackle as he played at San Diego State if the Texans want to move Tytus Howard over to the left side.