As the 2025 NFL regular season kicks off, the Kansas City Chiefs have sent shockwaves through the league, signaling their intent to dominate the AFC and pursue a historic fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance. With a revamped rookie class and strategic offseason moves, the Chiefs have bolstered their roster with dangerous new weapons that threaten to redefine the conference hierarchy. At the heart of this transformation is rookie left tackle Josh Simmons, complemented by a talented group of draft picks who flashed both promise and potential in the preseason. The rest of the AFC is on notice: Kansas City is loaded and ready to cement its dynasty.
Josh Simmons: The Cornerstone of the Offensive Line
The Chiefs’ offensive struggles in 2024 were no secret, with the left tackle position serving as a glaring weak point. After cycling through Kingsley Suamataia, Wanya Morris, D.J. Humphries, and even moving Joe Thuney to tackle in desperation, general manager Brett Veach made a bold move in the 2025 NFL Draft. Trading down one spot with Philadelphia to select Ohio State’s Josh Simmons at pick 32, the Chiefs may have found their long-term solution to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blind side.
Simmons, widely regarded as having the best tape among true offensive tackles in the draft, brings elite pass protection skills and quick feet off the snap. Despite a torn patellar tendon in October 2024 that caused him to slide to the end of the first round, Simmons was fully recovered for training camp and quickly claimed the starting left tackle role. In three preseason games, he logged 42 snaps, including 28 in pass protection, allowing zero pressures, per Pro Football Focus. His ability to keep Mahomes clean is a game-changer for an offense that thrives when its star quarterback has time to dissect defenses.
While Simmons’ run blocking, particularly in gap schemes, remains a work in progress, his pass protection alone elevates the Chiefs’ offensive ceiling. With Mahomes operating behind a fortified line, Kansas City’s high-octane passing attack—featuring Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and Travis Kelce—could return to its 2022 form, striking fear into opposing secondaries. Simmons’ emergence as a rookie cornerstone has AFC defenses scrambling to adjust their game plans.
Defensive Reinforcements: Norman-Lott and Gillotte Bolster the Front
The Chiefs didn’t stop at offense. With Tershawn Wharton’s departure in free agency and Chris Jones entering his age-31 season, Kansas City prioritized bolstering its defensive line. Second-round pick Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee, pick 63) and third-round pick Ashton Gillotte (Louisville, pick 66) add depth and potential to a unit already anchored by Jones, George Karlaftis, and Charles Omenihu.
Norman-Lott, a disruptive interior pass rusher, brings untapped potential despite a quiet preseason (two pressures in 19 pass-rush snaps). His limited snaps at Tennessee in 2024 (225 total, averaging 17.3 per game) were due to a deep Volunteers defensive line, yet he still generated 27 pressures in just 139 pass-rush snaps. Now adjusting his weight to fit the Chiefs’ scheme, Norman-Lott could emerge as a dynamic complement to Jones, creating chaos up the middle. His ankle injury in the preseason limited his reps, but his explosive traits suggest he could develop into a nightmare for opposing offensive lines.
Gillotte, selected via a trade with Tennessee, adds depth to the edge rusher group. While his preseason was modest (three pressures in 48 pass-rush snaps), his role as a rotational player behind Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Omenihu allows him to develop without immediate pressure. Together, Norman-Lott and Gillotte give defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo versatile pieces to maintain relentless pressure, a hallmark of the Chiefs’ championship defenses.
Secondary and Skill Position Depth: Williams, Royals, and Smith
The Chiefs’ 2025 draft class also addressed key depth needs at cornerback, wide receiver, and running back, ensuring they remain dangerous across all phases. Third-round pick Nohl Williams (Cal, pick 85) showcased his potential as a man-coverage cornerback, allowing zero receptions in 22 man-coverage snaps during the preseason. While his zone coverage and penalty issues need refinement, Williams provides valuable depth behind Trent McDuffie, Kristian Fulton, and Jaylen Watson, ensuring the secondary remains robust against pass-heavy AFC rivals like Buffalo and Cincinnati.
At wide receiver, fourth-round pick Jalen Royals (Utah State, pick 133) was seen as a steal due to his Rashee Rice-like playing style. Despite a lackluster preseason (three catches for 14 yards in 18 route runs), Royals’ selection serves as insurance for Rice’s six-game suspension and a long-term investment for 2026. With Worthy, Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster ahead of him, Royals has time to develop into a reliable target for Mahomes.
Seventh-round running back Brashard Smith (SMU, pick 228) brings versatility to the backfield. A converted wide receiver, Smith flashed receiving potential in the preseason, notably with a 12-yard gain on a shovel pass against Seattle. His speed and ability to line up in multiple positions—behind Mahomes, in the slot, or out wide—force defenses to reveal their coverage schemes. While his pass protection needs work, Smith’s development into a Jerick McKinnon-like weapon could add another dimension to Andy Reid’s offense, keeping opponents guessing.
A Rookie Class Built for a Dynasty
The Chiefs’ 2025 rookie class, while not perfect, is tailor-made for their championship aspirations. Josh Simmons addresses the critical left tackle need, providing Mahomes with the protection necessary to unleash the full potential of Kansas City’s passing attack. Norman-Lott and Gillotte bolster a defensive line that thrives on disruption, while Williams, Royals, and Smith add depth and future upside at key positions. Even fifth-round linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, a raw but athletic prospect, could contribute on special teams and develop into a coverage asset.
As the regular season begins, the AFC is bracing for a Chiefs team that looks more dangerous than ever. Simmons’ ability to protect Mahomes could be the catalyst for an explosive offense, while the defensive rookies ensure Spagnuolo’s unit remains relentless. With Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Brett Veach orchestrating this reloaded roster, the Chiefs are poised to redefine the AFC hierarchy and chase history. The rest of the league is right to panic—Kansas City’s new weapons are ready to dominate.