Chiefs’ rookie players (those who aren’t hurt) get last chance to make impression
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs rookies claim expanded roles late in 2025 season amid roster injuries
- Nohl Williams, Ashton Gillotte and others produced increased snaps and impact
- Injuries limited some prospects like Omarr Norman-Lott and Josh Simmons' season
As the Chiefs wrap up the 2025 season on Sunday in Las Vegas, members of their 2025 NFL Draft class will be looking to finish on a high note against the Raiders.
That will be easier for some than others.
Cornerback Nohl Williams, a third-round pick, has moved into a starting role over the past month and is coming off his strongest game. He was credited with three passes defended against the Denver Broncos on Christmas night.
Running back Brashard Smith, taken in the seventh round, returned punts for the first time last week and ripped off a 44-yarder — the longest by a Chiefs player this season.
And Chiefs defensive end Ashton Gillotte, also taken in the third round of the most recent draft, has played a season-high in snaps in each of the past two games.
In some cases, injuries to veteran players have opened the door for the rookies. But regardless of they’ve reached the field, their coaches have liked what they’ve seen.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was asked how Williams has earned his trust.
“Two things,” Spagnuolo said. “I think he tackles real well. I think he’s a physical corner, and we like physical corners. And he’s got really good ball skills.”
The Chiefs were hopeful Gillotte and second-round pick Omarr Norman-Lott would improve the team’s pass rush. But Norman-Lott’s season lasted just five games before an ACL tear.
“I was really happy with the way Omarr was progressing,” Spagnuolo said. “Remember, he went through the injuries and that sets you back as a rookie a little bit. But then he started to find a groove, and then he got hurt. So, he’s got that challenge of getting back there and getting healthy and being in shape.
“I thought Ashton has been and hopefully will continue to be on a trajectory that’s going upward. It would’ve been nice to maybe get more reps in early, (but) we were rotating guys. I think he’s getting plenty towards the end here, and I think that will help him going forward.”
Last week, linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, a fifth-round pick, got his first defensive snaps since midseason. He’s been used almost exclusively on special teams, and special teams coordinator Dave Toub said Bassa has been one of the Chiefs’ top performers in that phase.
Wide receiver Jalen Royals, a fourth-round pick, was inactive for the majority of the team’s games but made his first start against the Broncos and played five snaps. Royals was slowed in the preseason with knee tendinitis.
“He had a great preseason for us, and it’s been a bit of a redshirt year for him,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said before the Chiefs met the Broncos. “But he has a lot of talent.”
No injury to a rookie affected the Chiefs more than one suffered by left tackle Josh Simmons, their first-round pick.
In his final college season, Simmons suffered a torn patellar at Ohio State. But he was back in time for Chiefs training camp, started the opener and got off to a solid start.
Simmons left the team for personal reasons for four games. He returned in Week 11 and played in three games before fracturing his wrist.
In early December, head coach Andy Reid didn’t rule out the possibility of Simmons returning for the postseason. But the Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention, so it’s one more game for 2025 and then on to next season for Simmons and the rest of the team’s rookie draft class.