Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Forecast 2025
Solid Starter
Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee – Round 2 
The Chiefs had bigger needs to address than an interior defensive lineman in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but the value of Norman-Lott was too good to pass up. Chris Jones is one of the best defensive players in the NFL, but he can’t play forever, and the Chiefs have seen the value in having an interior lineman who can get after the quarterback. Hence, Norman-Lott made sense as a potential second-rounder.
What makes the 6-foot-3, 315-pound Norman-Lott stand out is his interior pass-rush ability. With a burst off the snap, Norman-Lott can fire upfield to get penetration into the pocket, and his relentless motor helps him to finish rushes by outfighting blockers to get to the quarterback. Norman-Lott uses active hands to keep guards from getting a hold of him, and his natural pad level keeps him low with good leverage. With good athleticism and agility, Norman-Lott can contort his body to dip underneath blockers and keep gaining on the quarterback. While Norman-Lott is not overpowering as a run defender, he does show some functional power in the pass rush as he will bullrush some guards back to the quarterback and also has some speed and power to knock blockers into the pocket. Norman-Lott is a dangerous interior pass rusher and a real threat to harass the quarterback.
In run defense, Norman-Lott showed improvement with the Volunteers compared to the previous year at Arizona State. Norman-Lott could stand to get stronger and stouter, but he could always have issues defending downhill runs coming straight at him. He can get knocked off the ball, and power guards and combo bump blocks are going to pose a problem for pushing Norman-Lott out of his gap. Norman-Lott is improving, so perhaps that trend will continue, and he will become an adequate run defender who is a dangerous interior pass rusher.
Early on, Norman-Lott will probably be a rotational backup behind Jones, Mike Pennel, and Jerry Tillery. However, his interior rush ability could have him see the field a lot in the subpackage as an interior designated pass rusher. After a year or two of developing, I think Norman-Lott will turn into a solid starter for the Chiefs and a potential heir apparent to Jones.
2023: Kingsley Suamataia, offensive tackle
2023: Rashee Rice, wide receiver
2022: George Karlaftis, defensive end
2021: Creed Humphrey, center
2020: Willie Gay Jr., linebacker
2019: Khalen Saunders, defensive tackle
2018: Derrick Nnadi, defensive tackle
2017: Kareem Hunt, running back
2016: Chris Jones, defensive tackle
2015: Mitch Morse, guard
2014: Philip Gaines, cornerback
2013: Eric Fisher, offensive tackle
Most Likely To Bust
Ashton Gillotte, DE, Louisville – Round 3 
Gillotte had a breakout season in 2023 when he had 11.5 sacks in his first year as a starter. As a senior, his sack total dipped to 4.5 as teams were more prepared for him. At 6-foot-3, 264 pounds, Gillotte is a little undersized with a lack of length. He also is not a pure burner that is going to roast offensive tackles with pure speed off the edge. Third-round picks are expected to start out as backups and develop into starters. I think Gillotte might top out as a backup only and serve as rotational depth at best. Thus, I see Gillotte as the most likely pick of the Chiefs on the first two days of the draft to be a bust.
2024: Jared Wiley, tight end Jared Wiley
2023: Wanya Morris, offensive tackle
2022: Skyy Moore, wide receiver
2021: Joshua Kaindoh, defensive end
2020: Lucas Niang, offensive tackle
2019: Mecole Hardman, wide receiver
2018: Dorian O’Daniel, linebacker
2017: Tanoh Kpassagnon, defensive end
2016: KeiVarae Russell, cornerback
2015: Chris Conley, wide receiver
2014: Dee Ford, outside linebacker
2013: Knile Davis, running back
Potential Boom Pick
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State – Round 1 
In the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles and previously to the Buccaneers, a big issue for the Chiefs was providing adequate pass protection for superstar quarterback Pat Mahomes. This offseason, Kansas City made it a priority to improve its blind side protection for Mahomes. While the Chiefs had limited resources from salary cap constraints, they added a veteran with upside in Jaylon Moore and then used their first-round pick on Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons. If it weren’t for a season-ending knee injury in October of 2024, I think Simmons could have been a top-10 pick. Hence, I think he has major boom pick potential for the Chiefs.
In pass protection, Simmons (6-5, 317) is consistent at keeping rushers off his quarterback. What sets Simmons apart is his twitch, burst, and explosiveness. Simmons fires out of his stance, and that gets him in a great position to get depth in his drop, taking away the edge from speed rushers. He also has the size and strength to be able to drop his weight, allowing him to hold his ground against bull rushers. While Simmons does not have ideal length, he makes up for it with his quick feet. Those feet allow him to quickly recover if he gets out of position. Simmons also has quick reaction skills with the ability to handle stunts and games. Simmons looks like a starting left tackle for the NFL who will be steady and reliable in pass protection.
In the ground game, Simmons is a solid blocker, but he is not a true bull. He does not blast defenders off the ball and drive them around the field. With his quickness and burst, Johnson latches onto defenders, fights with them, shoves them, and manipulates them away from the ball carrier. If Simmons can get stronger for the next level, that would make him more well-rounded.
Moore can start out as the left tackle, but before long, I think Simmons will be the starter for Kansas City. With an excellent skill set and landing with a great coaching staff, I think Simmons will become a good starter for the Chiefs at left tackle. That would be landing a boom pick, considering they landed a good left tackle with the final pick of the first round.
2023: Xavier Worthy, wide receiver
2023: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, defensive end
2022: Trent McDuffie, cornerback
2021: Nick Bolton, linebacker
2020: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, running back
2019: Juan Thornhill, safety
2018: Breeland Speaks, defensive tackle
2017: Pat Mahomes, quarterback
2016: Demarcus Robinson, wide receiver
2015: Marcus Peters, cornerback
2014: De’Anthony Thomas, running back
2013: Travis Kelce, tight end
Future Depth Player
Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon – Round 5 
The Chiefs added a really good value pick with Bassa in the fifth round. Bassa lacks some size, but he has good pass coverage ability for the NFL and is a very smart defender. I think Bassa will be a rock-solid backup linebacker who can help in coverage in the nickel and dime packages while also being a good contributor on special teams. Bassa may not have the size and strength to become a three-down starter. Kansas City also has some solid veteran linebackers that will be tough to beat out, but Bassa could be a nice backup who is also a core special-teams contributor.
2024: Jaden Hicks, safety
2023: Chamarri Conner, cornerback
2022: Bryan Cook, safety
2021: Cornell Powell, wide receiver
2020: L’Jarius Snead, defensive back
2019: Darwin Thompson, running back
2018: Amrani Watts, safety
2017: Jehu Chesson, wide receiver
2016: Eric Murray, cornerback
2015: Steven Nelson, cornerback
2014: Aaron Murray, quarterback
2013: Sanders Commings, cornerback
