NFL Exec Calls Ohio State's Josh Simmons 'A Hell of a F--king Player' Ahead of Draft

Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons was described as "a hell of a f--king player" by one NFL executive days out from the 2025 NFL draft.

The exec also called Simmons "a really nice athlete" when speaking with The Athletic's Jeff Howe.

Howe went on to project the Buckeyes standout as the 10th overall pick to the Chicago Bears.

"Simmons isn't a clean prospect, but he has elite potential if it all comes together," he wrote. "Teams want him to mature and prove he's fully dedicated to football, but it's also going to be up to his next team to bring that element out of him.

"Simmons tore his patellar tendon in October. Teams don't sound concerned about his long-term availability, as they anticipate he'll be ready around the start of the regular season. It'll take some patience, but Simmons is talented enough to reward their belief."

Simmons is the No. 25 overall player and second-best offensive tackle on Bleacher Report's big board. B/R NFL scout Brandon Thorn compared him to the Minnesota Vikings' Christian Darrisaw.

"Overall, there's a question on how much of Simmons's early season dominance is due to a lack of competition or him being that much better, but there's no doubt that his size, movement skills, play strength and technique are on the level of an immediate starting left tackle in the NFL," Thorn said in his scouting report.

With Simmons, the raw talent is obvious, and he has a good frame (6'5" and 317 pounds) for the position. His season-ending knee injury nonetheless looms large.

Especially for a team that doesn't necessarily need him to come in and occupy an important role immediately, he's worth considering from the middle stages of the first round and on.