NFL Draft Heist: How the Kansas City Chiefs Snatched Josh Simmons in the Steal of the Decade
A Draft Night Surprise That Altered the Power Balance
The NFL Draft is where legacies are forged, fortunes are altered, and front offices either ascend to brilliance or descend to regret. On a night of quarterback buzz and bold trades, the Kansas City Chiefs stealthily made the most surprising pick of the 2025 draft — taking Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons with the 32nd overall selection.
What made the selection historic wasn't the potential of the player, but that Simmons, who was forecasted by almost every top analyst as a top-15 pick, fell all the way to the last pick of the first round. That fall wasn't because of a lack of talent — it was the culmination of indecisiveness, rumors of injuries, and front-office indecision.
Kansas City seized on the opportunity. And now everyone else in the league wonders how they let them get away with it.
Who is Josh Simmons?
Josh Simmons arrived on draft day 2025 as perhaps the most heavily decorated line prospect of the recent era. With Ohio State, he propped up the Buckeyes' O-line with the perfect combination of athleticism, technique, and intelligence to become one of the premier linemen of the Big Ten.
- Player Profile:
- College: Ohio State
- Position: Offensive Tackle
- Size: 6'6", 315 lbs
- 2024 Stats: Zero sacks surrendered, one pressure over 12 games
- Honors: First Team All-American, Outland Trophy finalist, team captainScouts complimented
Why He Fell: Injury, Uncertainty, and Miscalculations
So how did a No. 15 talent fall to pick No. 32? There were three main reasons:
1. Injury Concerns
Simmons tore his patella tendon in October 2024 — a bad injury, although he recovered quickly and took part in limited pro day drills. Nevertheless, several teams marked his medical reports as a risk, particularly with first-round money on the table.
2. "Maturity" and Interview Red Flags
As per various anonymous scouting reports, Simmons was perceived as too cocky in Combine and team interviews. Some interpreted it as leadership, while others saw it as arrogance. Several teams lowered him on their boards due to "culture fit" issues, even though there were no previous off-field issues.
3. The Draft Board Got Weird
Surprise initial picks of wide receivers, cornerbacks, and edge rushers created a ripple effect. The offensive linemen such as Simmons, who could have gone top-10 under different circumstances, were out of view as teams rushed to address other gaping needs.
The Chiefs' Strategy: Patience, Preparation, and Precision
Kansas City's front office, headed by General Manager Brett Veach, knew what they were doing. The Chiefs, according to reports, had Simmons listed 11th on their overall draft board — and didn't think he'd fall to them at 32.
As the draft continued, the Chiefs started inquiring about trade-up calls around pick 25. But rather than panicking and overpaying, they stood firm, figuring that teams in front of them had already addressed offensive line needs or had other priorities.
The instant Simmons fell into their lap, they didn't hesitate. In a matter of minutes, the pick was in.
“We were shocked. Frankly, I think a lot of teams are going to regret letting him fall,” Veach said in a post-draft press conference.
Reactions Around the League: Admiration and Regret
The football world reacted immediately and with strong opinions.
Media Analysts:
- Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: "Top-15 talent. Bottom of the round. That's a steal, plain and simple."
- Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: "Unbelievable value. The Chiefs just added five more years to Patrick Mahomes' prime window."
- Bucky Brooks: "A Pro Bowl-caliber player on a championship team. This is how dynasties extend their reign."
NFL Front Offices:
Some competing executives were in disbelief anonymously to national media. One NFC GM told The Athletic, "He was the top guy on our board at that point. We didn't think he'd be there. KC beat us to it."
Another AFC GM commented, "We were targeting other areas, but yeah — we whiffed. That's on us."
Where Simmons Excels in Kansas City
This isn't merely a high-ceiling selection — it's a schematically and organizationally ideal fit.
Immediate Impact
Simmons walks into a team with world-class coaching, experienced mentorship, and the NFL's premier quarterback. With left tackle Donovan Smith potentially leaving, Simmons might open Week 1 lining up Mahomes' blind side.
Long-Term Value
The Chiefs are constructing for longevity. Mahomes is signed through 2032. Simmons, on a rookie contract through 2029, may lock up the line for the next five years at discount prices.
Locker Room Culture
Kansas City has one of the NFL's most resilient locker rooms, and Travis Kelce and Chris Jones, two of its veteran leaders, instill discipline. Complaints about Simmons' "attitude" will likely be eliminated in this culture.
Draft History Comparisons: Where Does This Place?
The NFL has experienced its share of draft-day bargains:
- Russell Wilson (75th overall, 2012)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (112th overall, 2021)
- Tyreek Hill (165th overall, 2016)
- Laremy Tunsil (13th overall, 2016 — under last-minute scandal)
Josh Simmons at age 32 is not a great fall in comparison, but timing is everything. He wasn't omitted because of off-field controversy or last-minute news. He fell solely as a result of miscalculations and risk-averse decision-making — which makes the value all the worse.
What This Means for the AFC
The AFC power dynamics might have just been strengthened even more in the Chiefs' direction.
- Kansas City bolsters their o-line while others hustle for quarterback assistance.
- Mahomes receives a block foundation to complement him in his prime.
- The Chiefs' difference from the rest of the AFC might have become even larger — again.
Clubs like Cincinnati, Buffalo, Baltimore, and Miami are competing for the same window. Anything that provides them an advantage matters. And the Chiefs could've just picked up another one.
Final Thoughts: A Franchise Pick at Number 32
The 2025 NFL Draft will be remembered for its chaos, but in the end, it's likely one narrative will dominate the others — Kansas City swiping a blue-chip talent at the final minute of Day 1.
Josh Simmons may not be the most blindingly brilliant player. He doesn't fill highlight reels or play a skill position. But he plays the most important spot outside of quarterback in the NFL today — left tackle. And he does so at an extremely high level.
If healthy, this is not only not a steal but a cornerstone of a pick.
And as the Chiefs continue to build around their generational quarterback, everyone else in the league is left asking the same question:
How did we let this happen?
Would you like this article in HTML format or turned into a downloadable draft? I can also generate metadata, meta descriptions, and Twitter/X thread versions if you're distributing this across platforms.
No comments