Lewis projects the 49ers to use the No. 11 overall pick on a position of need, selecting Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons. While Simmons would address a critical area, Lewis acknowledges that injury concerns will likely contribute to his slide down the draft board.
"If not for the patellar tendon injury suffered last fall, Simmons likely would be the top tackle in this draft," Lewis explained. "With Brock Purdy's contract extension looming and Trent Williams turning 37 in July, Simmons provides future LT security at the bargain rate of a rookie contract."
Simmons (6-5, 317) would be a natural successor to Williams. Still, many believe the 49ers should prioritize not only getting younger, but also finding ways to stay healthy, especially after a season in which several key contributors missed significant time, including Williams, who was sidelined for seven games. The team finished with just six wins.
General manager John Lynch met with Simmons during the NFL Scouting Combine in February. While it was initially believed that Simmons had suffered an ACL tear on October 12, he revealed that he underwent surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.
"(I'm) really way ahead of schedule, will be cut loose in mid-April to give everybody a good pro day," Simmons said, per NBC Sports Bay Area.
Despite the optimism, Simmons was only a limited participant during Ohio State's pro day. The encouraging news is that he expects to be ready for the start of the 2025 season.
Playing just 306 snaps in 2024, Simmons posted an impressive 82.0 pass-blocking grade and a career-best 74.4 overall grade. He allowed just one pressure and did not surrender a sack all season.
Simmons has logged 1,130 snaps at left tackle over the past two seasons, but he also has experience on the right side, playing 799 snaps there in 2022. That versatility could allow Simmons to replace Colton McKivitz at right tackle in the short term, before eventually sliding over to the left side when it's time to succeed Williams.
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