Meet the Kansas City Chiefs' 2025 NFL Draft Class: Brett Veach adds talented new players in pursuit of Super Bowl LX
The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books for the Kansas City Chiefs. They have welcomed seven new players to their team in this quest to return the Lombardi Trophy to Kansas City in Super Bowl LX. Brett Veach and his staff addressed several immediate needs on Kansas City’s roster, adding key pieces in the […]
The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books for the Kansas City Chiefs.
They have welcomed seven new players to their team in this quest to return the Lombardi Trophy to Kansas City in Super Bowl LX.
Brett Veach and his staff addressed several immediate needs on Kansas City’s roster, adding key pieces in the offensive and defensive trenches on Day 1 and Day 2 of the draft. On Day 3, the team added some intriguing skill sets on both sides of the ball.
Take a look at the Chiefs’ entire 2025 rookie draft class below:
Round 1, Pick 32: Ohio State LT Josh Simmons
If you asked ten random Chiefs fans who they wanted the team to draft on Day 1, at least half of them would have told you Simmons, and the other half, Mizzou WR Luther Burden III. Many (myself included) expected that Simmons would be long gone by the Chiefs' pick because of the clean bill of health he received in pre-draft medical checks on his injured knee. He allowed a single sack and fewer than 20 pressures in two seasons with the Buckeyes. The fact that he was available after a one-spot trade down with the Philadelphia Eagles is an absolute coup for Kansas City. Should he stay healthy, he could be the best offensive tackle prospect from this class when it's all said and done.
Round 2, Pick 63: Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott
Fans will likely be split on this pick due to his low snap counts (17 per game average) at Tennessee, but this would be more concerning if it were something that wasn't true across the board with the entire Vols D-Line. They rotated that unit constantly and were heavily criticized for not playing Norman-Lott more frequently. He's the pass-rushing interior defensive lineman that Kansas City needs, with Tershawn Wharton taking his talents to Carolina. His 18.9% pass rush win rate in 2024 was the best among all defensive tackles in college football per PFF.
Round 3, Pick 66: Louisville DE Ashton Gillotte
Gillotte's college tenure has been characterized by the ability to get pressure on the passer, which is something Kansas City didn't do well in 2024. He's got a personal relationship with George Karlaftis, whom he already considers a mentor. Chiefs Sr. Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway told reporters that Gillotte has the rare type of character that few players in the NFL achieve. Not only does he expect him to be a contributor for a long time, but he could emerge as a defensive leader on the team in Year 1.
Round 3, Pick 85: Cal CB Nohl Williams
Anytime you can draft a cornerback who led the FBS in interceptions (7) in the third round, you've got to do it right? While surrendering the 2026 fourth-round pick from the Joe Thuney trade might be a tough pill to swallow, this opportunity was too rich for the Chiefs to pass up. Williams is a near-perfect scheme fit, with elite ball-hawking skills and return specialist ability on special teams.
Round 4, Pick 133: Utah State WR Jalen Royals
This was a massive value pick from Chiefs GM Brett Veach. Our projections at A to Z Sports slotted Royals 58 picks ahead of where Kansas City selected him. Over the past two seasons at Utah State, Royals recorded 1914 receiving yards with 21 touchdowns on 126 receptions. He also has kick return ability with nine returns for 184 yards (20.4 yards per return average) during the 2024 college season.
Round 5, Pick 156: Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa
Bassa raises the floor in your linebacker room. He's a converted safety, slightly undersized at 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds. He's got that run-and-chase, sideline-to-sideline style that the Chiefs have lacked since they got rid of Willie Gay Jr. and really offers an infusion of athleticism into the room. He's also going to be a very talented special-teams player.
Round 7, Pick 228: SMU RB Brashard Smith
The Chiefs waited until the seventh round to take Smith, a converted wide receiver who became the engine of the SMU offense as a running back in 2024. In his first season ever playing the position, Smith racked up 274 touches for 1,659 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns. He's a little undersized at 5-foot-10 and 198 pounds, but he has what it takes to play a role in this league.
Full 2025 Chiefs' draft class
- Round 1, pick 32: Ohio State LT Josh Simmons
- Round 2, pick 63: Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott
- Round 3, pick 66: Louisville DE Ashton Gillotte
- Round 3, pick 85: Cal CB Nohl Williams
- Round 4, pick 133: Utah State WR Jalen Royals
- Round 5, pick 156: Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa
- Round 7, pick 228: SMU RB Brashard Smith
Kansas City Chiefs use gifts from the NFL to trade up and find their next Isiah Pacheco on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to secure their seventh-round running back.
