[RunKC]

We are going to draft Conerly aren’t we?

JOSH CONERLY, Oregon (6-4 ½, 313, 5.04, 1-2): Third-year junior, two-year starter. “If you need a left tackle he would be it,” one scout said. “He has the agility and athletic ability to protect the blind side. He’s only going to get better. Great kid, very young. I had a clear vision for him, especially if I needed a left tackle.” Shifted from running back to the offensive line as a high-school sophomore in Seattle. “Big thing was he played well against Penn State’s Abdul Carter,” said another scout. “That really jumped out. Better pass pro than run blocker. Not super talented. Not a gifted athlete. He’s just getting by on his guile and craftiness. He’s going to start and be a good player.” Started at left tackle opposite right tackle Ajani Cornelius. “Both their tackles were really up and down all year,” said a third scout. “They had a hell of an offense but nether one was consistent. They just really struggled with second moves in the pass game. The Boise State game. (Sept. 7) was that way. I’d probably go with Cornelius just because he’s got a little more upside. It was a struggle getting those kids to practice hard, go hard, play hard.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 10 3/8. “If you’re asking a guy as a rookie to protect the blind side he would be a really good option,” a fourth scout said. “One thing he’ll have to get better at is strength in the run game if he wants to become a long-time Pro Bowl player. He doesn’t have in-line strength and power to displace vertically. He doesn’t have it, and you hope because he’s such a young guy that he can develop that.” Struggled in the Senior Bowl game. “He’d be on my all-overrated list,” a fifth scout said. “Has some athleticism but didn’t play smart, didn’t play with very good technique. I didn’t feel this guy.”
6. JOSH SIMMONS, Ohio State (6-5, 317, no 40, 2): Suffered a torn patellar tendon in Game 6 and underwent season-ending surgery Oct. 12. “He was just pass-setting and went down,” said one scout. “Boom! What a shame. He’s the best athlete in the group and maybe the best in the last few years. He is what you want. The movement is just easy for him. He’s also got some grit to him. He’s not a power dude but it’s easy for him and he yokes people up. Pro Bowl talent. If he didn’t get hurt I’d probably have him over Campbell.” Another scout said the knee would stop him from choosing him in the first round. “Patellar tendons can be longer than ACL,” he said. “It’s definitely going to drop him. There aren’t many patellar tendons in the offensive line. He’s an outstanding athlete. Lacks some pop and power but he’s got really good feet and bend.” Fourth-year senior redshirted in 2021, started 13 games at right tackle in 2022 and 19 games at left tackle in 2023-’24. “His arm length is (33) and some people don’t like that,” a third scout said. “He can stick-and-stay in space. He has sustain. He can kick out in line. Well-rounded tackle.” Removed from consideration by one team for makeup issues. Another team expressed serious reservations. “Kind of a f-----,” said a fourth scout. “His (issues) are more football character. He has a complete bullshit sense of urgency, like a total finesse player. Mental is an issue. Lacks power, struggles to anchor. Fundamentals are poor. Plays like a guy that was at a JUCO and just came here. Now, he is a natural athlete and a knee bender. He’s got quickness, balance and body control, real light on his feet. He can pull and get to the second level. I did see the athletic positives but the whole football player I wasn’t crazy about.” Hands were 10. Four-star recruit as a guard from San Diego.

Oregon OT Josh Conerly v. Penn State Edge Abdul Carter pic.twitter.com/qrjRj2uX3J

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) March 6, 2025