The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.

With 2025 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2025 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.

Let's look at the Kansas City Chiefs, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.

Who are the Kansas City Chiefs rookies?

  • Josh Simmons (OT, Ohio State)
  • Omarr NormanLott (DL, Tennessee)
  • Ashton Gillotte (EDGE, Louisville)
  • Nohl Williams (CB, Cal)
  • Jalen Royals (WR, Utah State)
  • Jeffrey Bassa (LB, Oregon)
  • Brashard Smith (RB, SMU)

Kansas City Chiefs Draft Class Grade:

The Kansas City Chiefs received an A- draft grade from Sharp Football.

Which Chiefs Rookies Will Make An Impact?

The Chiefs gambled on Josh Simmons (first round) who is coming off a season-ending knee injury, which will jeopardize his availability for the start of the season. 

If healthy, Simmons likely would have been in the conversation to be the first offensive lineman selected, which makes this a justifiable risk for Kansas City. The Chiefs don’t anticipate drafting in the top 10 as long as Patrick Mahomes is on the roster, so any opportunity to draft a top-10 talent is one worth taking. 

Simmons was the only left tackle in the country who did not have a blown block in pass protection when his quarterback took a traditional dropback last year (minimum 150 such snaps). 

Kansas City signed Jaylon Moore to play left tackle, and he will likely start there in Week 1, but there’s a good chance Simmons eventually takes over. 

The Chiefs made another gamble by selecting Omarr Norman-Lott (second round), a career backup who played just 17 snaps per game last year at Tennessee. 

23-year-old backups don’t typically get drafted in the second round, but the Chiefs are intrigued by Norman-Lott’s potential as a pass-rusher. 

Norman-Lott was one of three SEC players to generate a pressure rate over 10% when lined up on the interior last year. 

With Chris Jones and Mike Pennel getting older, the Chiefs needed to improve the depth on the defensive line. So even if Norman-Lott remains a backup in Kansas City, he should see action and continue to have an impact on passing downs. 

Ashton Gillotte (third round) will also give a boost to the Chiefs’ pass rush unit. 

Mike Danna and George Karlaftis are locked into starting roles and under contract for two more years each, but the depth has been underwhelming, especially with former first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah failing to develop. 

Gillotte generated a strong 15.5% pressure rate when lined up on the edge last year and will likely be given an opportunity to compete with Anudike-Uzomah for snaps in the rotation. 

Nohl Williams (third round) made a name for himself with seven interceptions in 2024 and a solid 31% ball-hawk rate. 

If Williams maintains that production, he’ll find a role in the Chiefs’ secondary, though likely as a backup in 2024. 

There’s reason to be skeptical of Williams’ 2024 season, however. As a four-year starter at Cal and UNLV, Williams’ career ball-hawk rate entering 2024 was an unimpressive 17% and never above 20% in any of the previous three seasons.

Ball-hawk production can rise and fall somewhat randomly in small sample sizes, and in Williams’ case, we have a long track record prior to his senior year to demonstrate that 2024 outburst is unlikely to be repeated. 

Jalen Royals (fourth round) is a developmental prospect who has the size and speed to set a high ceiling. However, he ran a limited route tree at Utah State 一 29% of his catches were on screens 一 and he has struggled with drops. 

Royals is also coming off a season-ending foot injury, so his immediate impact in Kansas City will likely be limited. 

Jeffrey Bassa (fifth round) was a starter for most of his four years at Oregon, and his 2% missed tackle rate is evidence of his sound fundamentals and intelligence. 

If he eventually earns a starting job, he’s certainly capable of being a green dot player for the defense. However, Bassa was still on the board in the fifth round due to questions about his size (232 pounds) and below-average explosive traits (1.67 10-yard split). 

Brashard Smith (seventh round) could be the ideal running back for Kansas City due to his production in the passing game. 

Smith previously played wide receiver at Miami before converting to running back at SMU. 

Kansas City has a crowded backfield, but no one is locked into a job, and Smith will have an opportunity to compete for playing time. 

The Chiefs' first-round pick (Simmons) is a potential home run, but it was surprising to see the team invest so heavily in the defensive side of the ball given the team’s struggles on offense last year. 

Kansas City’s defensive depth definitely improved in this class, but it’s hard not to wonder if the team will regret not doing more to support Mahomes. 

This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview

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