The first mock draft of the 2025 cycle from Eric Edholm of NFL Media gave the Green Bay Packers a left tackle prospect for the offensive line. At No. 23 overall in the first round, Edholm sent Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons to the Packers.
Taking Simmons would mean back-to-back offensive line picks in the first round after the Packers took Arizona’s Jordan Morgan at No. 25 overall in the 2024 draft.
“I don’t think Green Bay would hesitate to go offensive line in Round 1 for a second straight year, even if the cornerback need feels glaring. Simmons would be a good fit for what the Packers seek in blockers,” Edholm wrote.
Simmons, a San Diego State transfer, started at left tackle during the last two seasons in Columbus. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in October and needed surgery, but agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN that he expects Simmons will be cleared in time for the start of training camp this summer.
According to PFF, Simmons allowed only 11 total pressures over the last two seasons, including zero sacks and just one hurry across 158 pass-blocking snaps before his injury in 2024. Simmons also has experience as a starter at right tackle from his time at San Diego State.
How would Simmons fit in Green Bay?
Morgan, a left tackle at Arizona, moved inside to guard as a rookie, and he could be a starting candidate at guard if the Packers lose center Josh Myers and have to shuffle the offensive line.
Rasheed Walker, the starter at left tackle during each of the last two seasons, is entering a contract year in 2025. The Packers believe he can be a long-term solution at the position but have said, on multiple occasions, that he must become more consistent on a down to down basis.
In 2024, Walker allowed only three sacks and four quarterback hits across 603 pass-blocking snaps, and his pass-blocking grade of 80.1 at Pro Football Focus ranked inside the top 10 among left tackles in the NFL.
Zach Tom looks entrenched as the starter at right tackle, where he dominated in 2024, but it’s possible he could move to another position if the Packers needed. He has five-position versatility.
Taking Simmons could give the Packers a valuable insurance policy and long-term option at a premium position if there are internal concerns about Walker, especially considering he’d need a new contract to remain in Green Bay past 2025.
But it’d be hard to fit Simmons into the offensive line structure if Walker is believed to be the best option at left tackle moving forward in Green Bay.
Here’s Daniel Jeremiah’s breakdown of Simmons, who he currently ranks as his No. 30 overall prospect in the class:
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.
And here’s the quick analysis on Simmons from Packers Wire draft analyst Brennen Rupp:
An athletic, well-put-together offensive tackle who has experience playing left and right tackle. He was well on his way to solidifying himself as a Top 12 pick before suffering a season-ending injury. Simmons is quick out of his stance to shield defenders. He has the easy athleticism to climb to the second level and kick linebackers out of the club. It’d be hard to pass up his talent if he were to fall to 23.
The Packers haven’t taken back-to-back offensive linemen in the first round since drafting Bryan Bulaga and Derek Sherrod in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
