After appearing in their third consecutive Super Bowl this February, the Kansas City Chiefs remain the pinnacle of the AFC. However, to capture their fourth championship since 2018, Kansas City will need some help. Fortunately, so long as Patrick Mahomes remains healthy, they will remain atop the AFC West. However, the landscape of the division is much different with the new coaching hires of Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh, and now Pete Carroll in consecutive offseasons. To remain atop the division, the Chiefs needed a great 2025 NFL Draft to develop the roster further. Once again, general manager Brett Veach found some great pieces. Let us examine the 2025 Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft class further.
2025 NFL Draft Grades: Kansas City Chiefs
First Round/32nd overall pick: Josh Simmons, offensive tackle, Ohio State
After trading back from the 31st pick to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Kansas City Chiefs land their potential left tackle of the future. Before coming to Ohio State, Josh Simmons played most of his career at right tackle at San Diego State. After transferring, Simmons became the Buckeyes starting left tackle and immediately impressed. While Simmons season was cut short from a torn patella tendon in October, the Ohio State lineman earned All-Big 10 honorable mention after playing only five games. Fortunately, the national champion’s knee is recovering on schedule. With veteran Waylon Moore signed in the offseason, the Chiefs can ease Simmons into the starting left tackle position, where his ability to get in space will help with run blocking for Isaiah Pacheco.
Grade: A+
"He is the BEST offensive tackle in this class when healthy."@PriscoCBS gives the Chiefs an A+ grade for drafting Josh Simmons. pic.twitter.com/hd15V7BGwM
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) April 25, 2025
Second Round/63rd overall pick: Omarr Norman-Lott, defensive tackle. Tennessee
After losing both Tershawn Wharton and Derrick Nnadi in the offseason, the Chiefs needed to add a young interior defensive lineman to learn behind Chris Jones. With the depth signings of Jerry Tillery and Mike Pennel Jr, they can allow Omarr Norman-Lott the opportunity to prove himself. The Tennessee defensive tackle explodes off the line of scrimmage to disrupt plays in the backfield. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulo will love his violent hand placement and ability to get after the quarterback by attacking the guard’s outside shoulder. If he takes advantage of the depth of knowledge he can get from Chris Jones and Spagnulo, we could see number 95’s eventual successor.
Grade: A
Kansas City Selects Tennessee DL Omarr Norman-Lott 63rd Overall
🔴 18.9% Pass Rush Win Rate in 2024 (1st Among DTs) pic.twitter.com/uRKRKZAiLv
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 26, 2025
Third Round/66th overall pick: Ashton Gillotte, edge rusher, Louisville
While the Chiefs’ defense was productive, they need to generate more sacks after finishing 19th in the league last season. They need to provide another pass-rush specialist opposite George Karlaftis without over-relying on blitzes. Enter Louisville edge rusher Ashton Gillotte. Through three seasons, Gillotte amassed 40 tackles for loss, including 26.5 sacks. Providing him a year to learn as a rotational pass rush specialist first, Gillotte has the tools to compete for snaps early with Charles Omenihu in the final year of his contract.
Grade: B
Louisville’s Ashton Gillotte is BEYOND underrated pic.twitter.com/wcWsGXtfi1
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 20, 2025
Third Round/85th overall pick: Nohl Williams, cornerback, California
After signing Kristian Fulton in free agency, the cornerback spot is still a position of need. Nohl Williams has a chance to compete for the third cornerback spot right away. The Golden Bears cornerback had a big impact in 2024, hauling in seven interceptions last season. He excels at reading and leading receivers off their route, all the while keeping his eyes on the quarterback. If he can maintain this production, the Chiefs have a starting outside corner for cheap.
Grade: B+
Congrats #Chiefs fans, you got maybe the BEST zone CB in 2025 #NFLDraft class
Nohl Williams finished with 7️⃣ interceptions in 2024, including one pick six (and another return TD)
He showed his NFL-readiness on and off the field at the @ShrineBowl, and is a plug and play starter… pic.twitter.com/l4iYef36GP
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) April 26, 2025
Fourth Round/133rd overall pick: Jalen Royals, wide receiver, Utah State
While behind Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, and JuJu Smith-Schuster in the depth chart, Jalen Royals can be a fine addition to the wide receiver room. Royals averaged 15.2 yards per reception in each of his two seasons at Utah State. His breakout game came against a talented Boise State secondary, where Royals finished with 211 yards. While he’ll mostly see the field on special teams, expect Andy Reid to rely on him more later in the season.
Grade: B
Fifth Round/156th overall pick: Jeffrey Bassa, linebacker, Oregon
Jeffery Bassa was a four-year starter at Oregon. He’s mostly relied upon for his downhill speed, making him an effective run stopper. Unfortunately, he’s situated behind three solid linebackers in Nick Bolton, Dru Tranquill, and Leo Chenal. Barring any significant injury, expect a quiet rookie season as Bassa tries to compete for snaps on special teams.
Grade: C
Seventh Round/228th overall pick: Brashard Smith, running back, SMU
Few players did more to elevate themselves after transferring like Brashard Smith. The former Miami Hurricane converted from wide receiver to running back and set a SMU single-season record for all-purpose yards with 1,977 in 2024. In addition, Smith also contributed 18 total touchdowns. His background as a receiver adds another element to the Chiefs backfield behind Isaiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and newly signed Elijah Mitchell. Along with that, Smith can also compete for return specialist snaps, after returning 53 kicks for an average of just over 24 return yards. Whether as the third running back or competing with Nikko Remingo and Carson Steele for kickoffs, Smith can contribute early.
Grade: A+
of course Andy Reid just got one of the best receiving RBs in the class who doubles as a special teams returning ace
RB Brashard Smith:
#1 in class 25% target rate on his routes
#2 in class 1.68 yards per route run
#1 in class with 1,317 return yards
4.39 40-yard dash
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 26, 2025
Main Photo: [Barbera J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch] – USA Today Sports
