Just over a week out from the 2025 NFL Draft, the 49ers are hosting Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons for a visit at their facility
Regardless of whether it’s on the offensive side or on defense, the 49ers are widely expected to focus on the trenches in the 2025 NFL Draft, and they are reportedly hosting a premier talent who could help their O-Line significantly for a top-30 visit.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the 49ers are hosting Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons for a visit.
It is an intriguing development as Simmons is a prospect who could be viewed as a long-term successor to the 49ers’ future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams.
The 49ers have made it clear they expect Williams to return for what will be his 16th year in the league — though he missed the entirety of the 2019 campaign following surgery to remove a cancerous growth — but the events of the 2024 season made it clear they must eventually start planning for his retirement.
Williams was limited to just 10 games last season owing to ankle issues.
Simmons, who gave up only one sack in his time with the Buckeyes after transferring from San Diego State after the 2022 season, would fit the bill as an heir apparent.
With experience starting on both sides, he could theoretically displace Colton McKivitz at right tackle while waiting to take over from Williams on the left side. He ticks all the boxes the 49ers look for in terms of size, length and athleticism at over 6ft 4in and 317 pounds and has the versatility to excel in zone and gap schemes as a run blocker.
The red flag with Simmons, though, is his recent injury history. Simmons saw his 2024 season ended when he tore his patellar tendon in October.
As a likely first-round pick, teams will be doing all the homework they can on Simmons’ knee injury to make sure they are comfortable with it. The 49ers, knowing that the selection of a prospect coming off a serious injury with the 11th overall pick would attract criticism from some, are clearly doing their due diligence by getting him in the building.
If they are satisfied with what they learn from his visit, then Simmons could very well be in play as the 49ers’ left tackle of the future.