Kansas City Chiefs OTAs: Steve Spagnuolo reveals exciting trait shared by each 2025 defensive draft pick
Kansas City Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo got a new infusion of talent for his defense via the 2025 NFL Draft. Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Louisville EDGE Ashton Gillotte, Cal CB Nohl Williams, and Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa each bring their own unique traits and abilities to Spagnuolo's defense. However, one shared trait amongst the bunch might […]
Kansas City Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo got a new infusion of talent for his defense via the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Louisville EDGE Ashton Gillotte, Cal CB Nohl Williams, and Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa each bring their own unique traits and abilities to Spagnuolo's defense. However, one shared trait amongst the bunch might be why each player succeeds collectively in the NFL under Spags.
Speaking to media members after Wednesday's Organized Team Activities (OTAs) practice, Spags was asked to give his initial take on the four defensive draft picks. In his reaction, he pinpointed their love and mastery of football.
“When all four (Omarr Norman-Lott, Ashton Gillotte, Nohl Williams, and Jeffrey Bassa) of those guys kind of came in – and I was happy to get all four of them – I thought they were all similar and that when we evaluated them and talked with them, they all have football get-it," he said. "They all love the game of football."
You can have all the physical talent in the world, but if you don't understand offensive and defensive schemes and love the game, you won't get far in the NFL. Sometimes it's just that simple.
One thing Steve Spagnuolo loves about each defensive draft pick for the Chiefs
Spagnuolo has roles in mind for each rookie defender in their inaugural campaign in Kansas City, with some individuals likely to get more playing time than others early on. Second-round pick Omarr Norman-Lott, for instance, should theoretically get a lot of playing time in the defensive line rotation this season.
"That’s the hope," Spagnuolo said of Norman-Lott. "Yeah, that’s the hope. There isn’t anything that has happened right now that would lead me to say that he would be able to do something for us.”
Each player has at least one unique trait that could help them see the field faster or, at the very least, contribute to a long-term development plan in Kansas City.
"I really like – I think Ashton (Gillotte) is a really good knee bender, I think Omarr’s (Norman-Lott) got a lot of power to him, Jeff (Bassa) is a change of direction guy, and really smart. I don’t know if you guys noticed in the rookie minicamp we put him (Jeff Bassa) at MIKE linebacker. We knew he was going to be outside, but he learns the whole defense. I thought he did a great job at that, then we’ve talked about Nohl (Williams), so I’m hoping all those guys can help us. We’ll see.”
For Williams, Spags echoed earlier comments by saying he liked that Williams is "a student of football." With Gillotte, Spags' comment concerns playing with the appropriate pad level. For Norman-Lott, it's to focus on his power, when he's known as more of a finesse rusher. For Bassa, it's to show off his versatility and a potential path to snaps at MIKE linebacker.
How each of the four players continues to hone their skills during OTAs will set them up for success at the remaining junctures of the offseason. Mandatory minicamp, training camp, and the preseason are more opportunities to convince the coaching staff that you can be trusted in a given role.
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