The Kansas City Chiefs' 2025 draft class brought in a nice wave of talent expected to factor into the team's 2025 season. One way Kansas City has continually stayed on top of a tough conference is the ability to find surprising value in both the draft and free agency. This year's class doesn't appear to be any different, with a number of exciting pieces.
Let's first look at two picks the organization absolutely nailed before moving to two who might flop.
Jalen Royals, WR
Jalen Royals has quickly caught the attention of Kansas City fans with his route-running ability and the hope he could fill a surprise role. Still, there is no definite answer on what the future holds for Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy is yet to consistently show himself capable of being a true number one option.
However, when you have the best elevator of talent in the league, in Patrick Mahomes, the ceiling for the position is always going to be higher than expected. Royals is on track to become a surprise contributor and quickly work his way into the Chiefs' offensive rotation.
Nohl Williams, CB
Nohl Williams is the latest perfect example of a franchise finding contributors late in the draft. The Chiefs have their first three corners locked in with Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Kristian Fulton as the primary options. Williams shouldn't have any problem quickly becoming the team's fourth option at the position and could quickly work his way into a larger role if Fulton or Watson were to stumble.
Williams' seven interceptions in the 2024 season will certainly catch the attention of Kansas City fans as well. This wasn't simply an outlier with the corner grabbing 14 in his college career. Chiefs fans should expect the young corner to have an instant impact.
Omarr Norman-Lott, DT
With free agency losses and the need to keep Chris Jones healthy when it matters most adding to the defensive line was a must. However, there are a number of concerns when it comes to Norman-Lott. If there is any defense in the league capable of making this move work it is Kansas City.
The flip side of this is pointing out that at the college level, the defensive lineman remained an option consistently used in sub-packages. This was due to the defender's inability to consistently win against power. The same type of power Norman-Lott is going to be facing on the inside, each and every week, at the next level.
Jeffrey Bassa, LB
Why waste the pick on a player who doesn't have a path to taking the field? The answer to this question is difficult to find, with the Chiefs having far more impressive options at the position.
Bassa is simply going to be reduced to playing special teams or a potential depth option if an injury strikes. This is the one pick in this year's class that deserves a healthy amount of heat. The Chiefs didn't need to add to the position and would have been better off looking elsewhere.