Injuries and limited impact plagued the Chiefs' rookies. Despite some bright spots, the 2025 class landed a middling 21st ranking.
The Kansas City Chiefs are not in the postseason, which is a weird development for a team so used to playing in the playoffs over the past decade.
The Chiefs are expected to lose offensive coordinator Matt Nagy due to his being a head coach candidate, so there could be quite a few changes in Kansas City for the 2026 season.
The Chiefs had injuries galore all around the roster, which didn't help, and the rookie class saw a big drop as first-round pick Josh Simmons played just eight games.
Aaron Schatz of ESPN ranked every NFL team's rookie class from this past season, and he ranked the Chiefs' rookie class 21st overall, a number that will hopefully improve next season.
Here is the Chiefs rookie class.
- Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State: Round 1, No. 31
- Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee: Round 2, No. 63
- Ashton Gillotte, DE, Louisville: Round 3, No. 66
- Nohl Williams, CB, Cal: Round 3, No. 85
- Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State: Round 4, No. 133
- Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon: Round 5, No. 156
- Brashard Smith, RB, SMU: Round 7, No. 228
Here's what he wrote about the first-year Kansas City players:
"First-round pick Josh Simmons managed to start only eight games as the Chiefs' top rookie. He was above average with a 91.6% pass block win rate but below average with a 71.6% run block win rate. Undrafted Esa Pole started four games when Simmons was out late in the season with a wrist injury."
Defensively for the Chiefs, there wasn't much to be excited about, although Omarr Norman-Lott's torn ACL was a tough blow.
"On defense, third-round cornerback Nohl Williams had five starts and 48 combined tackles with five passes defensed. Another cornerback, undrafted free agent Kevin Knowles, pitched in on special teams and also had two passes defensed late in the season. Third-round edge rusher Ashton Gillotte had 38 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks. Second-round defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott played only five games before a torn ACL."
One positive was seventh-round pick Brashard Smith, who played his final college season at SMU and became a playable running back for the Chiefs this season.
Smith finished the season with 44 carries for 151 yards and two scores and he added 25 catches for 172 yards and a touchdown, showing that he could see a larger workload in 2026 and beyond.
The Chiefs have been linked to Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but Smith should still be viewed as a player who can be used in many different ways, which is good news for the seventh-round draft pick.