Chiefs Add Explosive Edge-Rusher Ashton Gillotte in Third Round of 2025 NFL Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs continued to fortify their defensive front during the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Louisville standout with the 66th overall pick Friday night. As reported by Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com, the move brings an energetic, versatile, and battle-tested pass rusher into Defensiveness Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s dynamic scheme.
Gillotte, a 6-foot-3, 334-pound edge threat, left a lasting mark at Louisville. Over 50 career games, he tallied 39.5 tackles-for-loss and 25.5 sacks, placing him among the top six in Cardinals history in both categories. His 2023 season was especially electric: Gillotte led the ACC with 11 sacks and recorded 14.5 tackles-for-loss along with three forced fumbles. Remarkably, he generated even more quarterback pressures in 2024 (60) than the year prior (58), showcasing his steady improvement.
Chiefs Senior Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway praised Gillotte’s
relentless approach, stating, “This kid plays 100 miles-per-hour. He’s everything you want in a football player.” That high-motor effort is something Kansas City fans, and particularly Spagnuolo, are sure to appreciate.
One of Gillotte’s most intriguing qualities is his positional flexibility. While primarily an edge rusher, he occasionally lined up as a three-technique defensive tackle at Louisville, giving Kansas City another chess piece along their front. Pro Football Focus highlighted Gillotte’s ability to slide inside, noting he’s “strong as an ox” and effective against the run in addition to rushing the passer.
Athleticism is another major part of Gillotte’s appeal. Featured in Bruce Feldman’s renowned “Freaks List” before the 2022 season, Gillotte impressed scouts with his rare combination of size and speed. Feldman noted Gillotte’s ability to hit nearly 20 miles per hour on GPS, vertical jump 36 inches, and power-clean close to 400
pounds — feats that helped him dominate at Louisville. His athletic excellence was further confirmed by a stellar 9.75 out of 10 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), placing him among the top edge prospects in the past three decades, according to Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb).
Local buzz surrounding the pick has been largely positive. On X (formerly Twitter), fans and analysts alike have praised the Chiefs for addressing a need with a player of Gillotte’s motor and upside. Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com share a touching moment from Gillotte’s post-draft media availability: already dressed in Chiefs gear, Gillotte proudly explained that his uncle — a lifelong Kansas City fan — “called it from the beginning” that he would end up wearing red and gold.
“I don’t even know how he became a Chiefs fan,” Gillotte said with a laugh. “But he’s been one as long as I can remember.”
Kansas City also gains a built-in connection between Gillotte and current Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis. The
two began working together after being linked by a mutual college coach, with Karlaftis taking on a mentorship role. Gillotte credited Karlaftis for helping refine his pass-rushing technique, joking that now Karlaftis is “stuck” with him as teammates.
Local media has already begun speculating about the havoc the duo could create together in 2025. With Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Charles Omenihu, and now Gillotte on 
the line, Spagnuolo may have one of the deepest and most versatile defensive fronts in the NFL — something critical as the Chiefs aim for
an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title.
As the Chiefs continue to evolve and reload rather than rebuild, the selection of Ashton Gillotte looks to be another savvy move by General Manager Brett Veach. Gillotte’s blend of production, athleticism, and relentless energy could make him an impact player as early as his rookie season — and for a franchise already at the top of the NFL mountain, that’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.
I’m no scout. I’m just a mook, trying to make sense out of the early scouting reports, the scouting reports, the mock scouting reports, and the resulting gibberish handed down by the GM on the last day of the draft. Then with the help of my daughter, Maliah, who scourers social media, looking for story lines and angles that keeps the ball bouncing. Here’s the last word on the draft for the Kansas City Chiefs.
https://youtu.be/q9KBNXcOaz0?si=1BaGDjFIs0n267FF
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