As the nation recovers from its annual Super Bowl hangover, the NFL has shifted its focus to the upcoming draft. Over the next two months, the Arizona Cardinals will dissect a long list of prospects in search of their next stars. With multiple areas of weakness on their roster, Arizona can’t afford to miss, especially in the first round. Mike Kashuba and David Latham of Last Word on Sports and Fantasy Football RPG podcast had the Arizona Cardinals select offensive line prospect Josh Simmons with the 16th overall pick in their latest mock draft.
Arizona Cardinals Take Offensive Lineman Josh Simmons in Mock Draft
Josh Simmons, the former Ohio State left tackle, is considered to be one of the top offensive linemen in this draft class. As Last Word on Sports Ohio State expert Drew Crabtree put it:
“Simmons’ overall body of work and consistent improvement trajectory suggests he has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber player in the NFL.”
Simmons has been one of the best pass-protecting tackles in college football over the last two seasons. In his last 600 pass-blocking snaps, he’s allowed just one sack. Though somewhat limited in his run-blocking ability, Simmons has the potential to become one of the best blindside protectors in the NFL. He uses sound technique and footwork to stay in front of both speed-dependent and powerful defenders.
The most consistent cause for concern regarding Simmons’ draft stock is his injury history. Josh Simmons is currently recovering from the patellar tendon injury that ended his 2024 season. At any position, knee injuries can be fatal to the career of an NFL player. NFL teams will want to see that Simmons’ health is on the right trajectory at the NFL Combine and Ohio State’s pro day. If he can show that he is moving towards a complete recovery, Josh Simmons may see his draft stock rise.
Josh Simmons Fit with the Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals spent a top-ten selection on offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. back in 2023. Johnson Jr. has become a staple of Arizona’s front over the last two seasons. While Johnson Jr. played left tackle for the entirety of the 2024 season, he played right tackle in 2023. If the Cardinals draft Josh Simmons, they’ll have the flexibility to play him at either tackle spot.
In 2024, the Arizona Cardinals offensive line performed near league average in pass protection. Kyler Murray was sacked 30 times throughout the season. Jonah Williams filled in well for Arizona at right tackle after signing with the team during the 2024 offseason. However, he hasn’t been consistent enough throughout his career to hold a secure starting position for Arizona.
Though it may not fill Arizona’s most glaring need, drafting Josh Simmons would indicate that the Cardinals are committed to building through the trenches. In recent NFL history, the most successful teams have had elite units up front. With Josh Simmons on the roster, the Cardinals would be one step closer to building the dominant offensive line that could set them up for playoff contention.
Main Photo: Barbara J. Perenic – Imagn Images
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