Kansas City invested in the trenches in the 2025 NFL Draft, and two defensive line additions could shake up playing time for both rookies and returning veterans.
The goal of any competitive NFL franchise is to minimize roster holes heading into the draft. Fortunately for the Kansas City Chiefs, there were few glaring concerns to address in 2025.
The only soft spot on the defensive depth chart was at defensive tackle, a position the Chiefs bolstered with the acquisition of veteran Jerry Tillery and the re-signing of in-house free agent Mike Pennel. Some might argue those two moves made the interior line Week 1–ready, while others would counter that neither is a full-time solution inside.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach seemed to agree that the team needed a few floor-raising additions, selecting two defensive linemen just three picks apart at 63rd and 66th overall. Omarr Norman-Lott was taken near the end of Round 2, and his counterpart, Ashton Gillotte, came off the board at the top of Round 3.
These picks bolster the depth of the defensive line and could significantly affect how playing time is distributed. It’s worth assessing how these additions shift the depth chart—both for the incoming rookies and for the veterans already in the room.
1. Omarr Norman-Lott has the clearest path to playing time in 2025.
Omarr Norman-Lott, the 6′ 3″, 291-pound defensive tackle out of Tennessee, was selected by Kansas City in the second round. While he may start as a rotational piece, his first-step quickness and disruptive ability give him an edge over veterans Jerry Tillery and Mike Pennel on obvious passing downs.
The two veterans provide little in terms of pass rush, so Norman-Lott figures to spend real time playing alongside All-Pro IDL Chris Jones. He’s proven to be a penetrating force and should be an excellent complement to key members of “Sack Nation”—Chris Jones, Charles Omenihu, and George Karlaftis.
2. Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s fifth-year option viability must be assessed.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas City’s 2023 first-round pick, is entering his third season with the team. The 23-year-old Lee’s Summit product has yet to play more than 31% of defensive snaps in his first two years. That number is likely to increase in 2025 because the Chiefs face a key decision in 2026 regarding his fifth-year option.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the team would exercise options for both Karlaftis and two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. Both players have acquitted themselves as foundational defenders during their Chiefs tenures and will remain in Kansas City for at least two more seasons, with long-term contract talks on the horizon.
Anudike-Uzomah will require more field time to determine if he’ll follow suit in 2026. Unfortunately, that’s bad news for Gillotte’s hopes of commanding significant snaps in 2025—though he does have some positional versatility and could kick inside on passing downs.
3. The Chiefs have more positional versatility with the 2025 group.
The presence of Gillotte now gives the Chiefs at least four edge options that can be moved around defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s chessboard. Along with Jones, Omenihu, and Mike Danna, Gillotte has the athleticism and size profile to play inside in certain situations. The loss of Tershawn Wharton leaves a gap where pressuring the quarterback is concerned, but Gillotte—who some have described as a juiced-up Danna—could help them mitigate the drop-off.
Spagnuolo has a well-documented history of creating mismatches with his defensive line configurations, and having two prospects with pass-rushing skill sets widens the possibilities.
The hope for the 2025 defensive line group is that the additions of Norman-Lott and Gillotte will expand both the depth and versatility of the room. Time will tell if Omenihu can return to form after a down year, partially marred by injury recovery. Jones and Karlaftis remain the centerpieces of the unit, and we’ll quickly see whether the veteran and rookie additions have elevated the group as a whole.
Can Kansas City become more consistent in pressuring the quarterback next season? Will the 2025 draftees push for playing time and seize meaningful snaps? Does Felix Anudike-Uzomah take advantage of his opportunity to extend his shelf life with the team? The storylines leading into training camp will be fascinating as we begin to get answers to these questions.
