The 2025 NFL preseason is now complete, and every Kansas City Chiefs fan can focus on the regular season ahead. The Chiefs' goal this season is clear: reach their fourth consecutive Super Bowl and capture their fourth title in seven seasons. To accomplish this, they'll need their rookie class to step up, with one player being the most important.
Over three preseason games, every Chiefs draft pick from the 2025 class logged at least 30 total offensive/defensive snaps—enough to evaluate their potential but not enough to draw definitive conclusions. While preseason performance doesn't always translate to regular-season success, it provides our only glimpse of live game action for these seven rookies before the season.
Let's examine how each Kansas City Chiefs 2025 draft pick performed during the preseason.
Josh Simmons, LT, Ohio State (Round 1, Pick 31)
Anyone paying attention knew Brett Veach had to address the left tackle position this offseason—it was a primary reason the offense struggled to return to elite levels in 2024.
The Chiefs cycled through several players: Kingsley Suamataia started but didn't pan out, Wanya Morris was better but not a long-term solution, and midseason signing D.J. Humphries made one forgettable start before returning to the bench. Finally, they moved Joe Thuney to left tackle in Week 15, where he performed acceptably but took an occasional beating, most notably in Super Bowl LIX.
The Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore from San Francisco to a two-year contract, leading many to believe they were finished adding to left tackle. They were wrong. Kansas City traded down with Philadelphia from pick 31 to 32 and selected Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons.
Among true offensive tackles in the 2025 NFL Draft, Simmons arguably possessed the best tape. His pass protection and anchor were exceptional, complemented by quick feet off the snap. The main reason he fell to 32nd overall was a torn patellar tendon in his left knee last October—a serious injury typically requiring 6–12 months for full recovery.
Fortunately, Simmons was ready for training camp and quickly established himself as the starting left tackle. In three preseason games, he logged 42 total snaps, including 28 in pass protection, where he allowed zero pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
While his pass protection was excellent in limited action, his run blocking needs improvement. The Chiefs primarily called zone rushing plays with Simmons in the game, and his gap run blocking wasn't particularly impressive.
Chiefs fans should be thrilled with Simmons so far. His primary job is protecting Patrick Mahomes, and if he keeps #15 clean, this offense will be explosive to watch and significantly improve the team's Super Bowl chances.
Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee (Round 2, Pick 63)
After losing Tershawn Wharton to free agency and with Chris Jones aging, the Chiefs needed to bolster their defensive tackle depth. They addressed this need with their second pick, selecting Omarr Norman-Lott from Tennessee.
Norman-Lott had an unusual senior season at Tennessee, playing sparingly despite dressing for every game. He logged just 225 defensive snaps in 13 games (averaging 17.3 snaps per game) but was extremely productive, generating 27 pressures in only 139 pass-rush snaps in 2024. This was partially because Tennessee was deep along the defensive line and preferred to cycle its players to help keep them fresh.
His preseason was relatively quiet, totaling just two pressures (one quarterback hit) in 19 pass rush snaps across two games. He missed the Chicago game due to an ankle injury.
Since being drafted, the Chiefs have asked Norman-Lott to adjust his weight, which could explain his so-so preseason performance. While it's difficult to evaluate him fully due to his injury, he undoubtedly has the potential to be the best pass-rushing defensive tackle Chris Jones has ever played alongside in Kansas City.
Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville (Round 3, Pick 66)
The Chiefs doubled down on defensive line help in the middle of Day 2, selecting defensive end Ashton Gillotte with the second pick of the third round (acquired from Tennessee in the L'Jarius Sneed trade).
Gillotte's preseason was also uneventful, recording just three pressures in 48 pass-rush snaps while posting average run defense numbers. Fortunately, he's not expected to start immediately, with George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Charles Omenihu all ahead of him on the depth chart. While he has significant development ahead, he remains an exciting prospect entering the season.
Nohl Williams, CB, Cal (Round 3, Pick 85)
The Chiefs traded up from 95th overall to select Cal cornerback Nohl Williams, one of the few boundary, man-coverage cornerbacks available at the time.
Across three preseason games, Williams logged 94 defensive snaps. In 50 coverage snaps, he was targeted six times, allowing five catches for 45 yards and a 97.9 passer rating, per PFF. Notably, he excelled in man coverage, not allowing a single reception in 22 man coverage snaps, though his zone coverage and penalty issues need improvement.
With Trent McDuffie, Kristian Fulton, and Jaylen Watson ahead of him on the depth chart, Williams shouldn't expect significant playing time barring injuries to the starters.
Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State (Round 4, Pick 133)
When the Chiefs selected Jalen Royals 133rd overall, many considered it a steal. Given his similar playing style to Rashee Rice, some analysts viewed the pick as insurance for the now-suspended receiver.
Despite a strong training camp, Royals struggled in two preseason games (he didn't dress against Chicago due to a knee injury). He managed just three catches for 14 yards across 18 route runs—obviously not ideal production. He sits behind Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and possibly Tyquan Thornton on the depth chart to start the season, with Rice serving a six-game suspension.
The Chiefs didn't draft Royals for immediate impact. They selected him to potentially become a key weapon in 2026 and beyond for Patrick Mahomes.
Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon (Round 5, Pick 156)
One of the lesser-known selections is linebacker Jeffrey Bassa from Oregon. A former safety who converted to linebacker in college, he's still developing at his current position.
Given his rawness, he's expected to contribute primarily on special teams unless injuries create opportunities. However, he possesses the tools to become a quality coverage linebacker (reminiscent of Willie Gay).
In 108 defensive snaps (most among Chiefs rookies) across three preseason games, Bassa flashed speed and athleticism while showing his run defense still needs work. As a project player, he won't see significant defensive time in 2025, with Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and Leo Chenal firmly ahead of him, and Jack Cochrane providing competition.
Brashard Smith, RB, SMU (Round 7, Pick 228)
Besides left tackle, no position generated more fan interest for improvement than running back. While the Chiefs addressed the position, they waited until the final round to select Southern Methodist's Brashard Smith.
Smith converted from wide receiver to running back in college, so he's not built for a bellcow role. The plan likely involves using him as a third-down/receiving back in the future, though his pass protection must improve for this role.
During preseason, Smith flashed receiving potential in the screen game, including an impressive 12-yard gain on a shovel pass against Seattle where he recorded 16 yards after catch. Overall, he totaled four catches for 22 receiving yards with one drop, plus nine carries for 33 rushing yards. He had another impressive rep where he turned a 0-yard gain into a 10-yard gain with his speed. His pass protection was solid but limited to just four snaps.
The Chiefs clearly prefer a running back committee approach, with the goal being Smith eventually filling the old Jerick McKinnon role. Ideally, he'll become a versatile weapon capable of lining up behind/beside Mahomes as well as outside and in the slot. Having a running back who can legitimately play receiver forces defenses to show their coverage—either a cornerback/safety lines up across from Smith (signaling zone) or a linebacker follows him (indicating man coverage).
If Smith develops into a more complete player, he'll be a valuable offensive asset, but significant work remains.