Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: OT Josh Simmons

Here is our scouting report on Josh Simmons from Ohio State

We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at offensive tackle, Josh Simmons from Ohio State.

Josh Simmons

OT
Ohio State Buckeyes
Senior
3-star recruit
6’5”
310 lbs

Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

History

Josh Simmons was born on December 26, 2002, in San Diego, California. Initially he attended Madison High School before moving to Helix High School in La Mesa, California. Recognized as a three-star recruit, Simmons committed to play college football at San Diego State University in 2021.

In 2022, Simmons played right tackle for San Diego State and started all 13 games for the Aztecs. He played a total of 724 offensive snaps and allowed 21 total pressures and four sacks, both led the team. He also registered 17 penalties which was second-most in the nation. After the season ended, Simmons entered the NCAA transfer portal and joined Ohio State. His transfer to Ohio State was partly due to his athletic potential and fit for the Buckeyes’ offensive line needs.

Simmons quickly earned the starting left tackle position for the Buckeyes and started all 13 games. He played a total of 825 offensive snaps with 443 of those coming on passing plays. He allowed 15 pressures and only one sack but did lead the team with eight total penalties.

In 2024, he continued as the starting left tackle but suffered a season-ending knee injury which required surgery against Oregon on October 12. His performance before the injury was notable, with no sacks allowed in the season leading up to his injury. His athleticism and improvement from year to year were highlighted by teammates and coaches, earning him Third-Team All-Big Ten honors for his 2024 season despite the injury.

2024 Statistics

306 Offensive Snaps
158 Passing Snaps
0 Sacks Allowed
1 Pressure Allowed
1 Penalty

NFL Combine/Pro Day

TBC

Awards

Third-team All-Big Ten (2024)

Scorecard

Overall- 88.1
Speed- 80
Acceleration- 84
Agility- 81
Strength- 90
Pass Blocking- 84
Run Blocking- 75
Discipline- 77

THE GOOD

• Simmons is athletically gifted for the position showing excellent quickness, change of direction, and balance.
• He’s a fluid, loose mover with very good play strength.
• He has experience at both left and right tackle.
• Physically imposing with a powerful, urgent style.
• He quickly establishes contact with sticky hands and active feet, allowing him to sustain blocks and move defenders off the line.
• Exhibits clean, crisp setups in both flat and angled pass sets with good pad level, active hands, and easy redirect skills.
• He has a strong base to anchor against bull rushes and shows good spatial awareness for pass protection schemes.
• Showed significant improvement each season, demonstrating a high ceiling for development.
• He has experience at both left and right tackle.

THE BAD

• Suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2024, which has raised questions about his health going into the draft. His medical reports will be crucial to monitor.
• Hand placement can be sloppy at times, leading to balance issues when he lunges or extends.
• He can be overly aggressive, sometimes leading to loss of leverage which then leads into penalties.
• While there are many highlights of dominance, there’s inconsistency in his performance, particularly against more fast-twitch edge rushers.
• Can sometimes have slow footwork off the snap (although his 2024 take looked hugely improved in this regard).

THE FIT:

Before his injury, Simmons was considered a slam dunk potential first-round pick with some evaluations projecting him as a high-first-round selection. His injury has introduced some uncertainty, but his talent and previous performances suggest he could still be a high pick if medical checks come back positive. He is a high-upside offensive tackle prospect with the potential to become a cornerstone player at the NFL level. His combination of size, strength, and athletic ability makes him intriguing. With the right coaching, his technical flaws can be addressed, potentially leading to a pro-ready player with impact starter capabilities.

He is seen as a universal scheme fit at offensive tackle, capable of thriving in various offensive concepts due to his dynamic athleticism, agility, and power. Teams running zone-blocking schemes might particularly value his traits.

The Cowboys have had issues with their offensive line, particularly at tackle positions. Simmons could provide an immediate upgrade if he returns to full health post-injury. His experience at both tackle spots gives the Cowboys flexibility in their line setup given the uncertainty of the offensive line heading into next season.

Simmons could be an excellent fit for the Cowboys, particularly if they can secure him at a value that accounts for his injury risk. His athletic profile, combined with the potential to be a dominant force on the offensive line, aligns well with the Cowboys’ needs. However, Dallas would need to be thorough with their medical evaluations and have a strategic plan for his integration. If the Cowboys have a chance to draft Simmons in the first round, they would likely consider him if they’re satisfied with his medicals. His potential as a long-term starter could justify the risk.

COMPARISON

Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings

BTB GRADE

17th

CONSENSUS RANKING

17th
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services)