Latest news with #Gillotte
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs rookie preview: Ashton Gillotte 2025 stat projections
Chiefs rookie preview: Ashton Gillotte 2025 stat projections The Kansas City Chiefs selected Louisville Cardinals defensive end Ashton Gillotte with the 66th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Gillotte lacks ideal arm length and bend but fits the mold of a modern power rusher with a high floor in run defense. This type of player is becoming more coveted around the league. If given enough snaps, Gillotte could make a nice impact as a rookie. Excluding former first round pick George Karlaftis, rookie defensive ends don't have a great track record on Steve Spagnuolo's Chiefs defenses. Since Spagnuolo arrived in Kansas City in 2019, the five defensive ends drafted by the Chiefs have produced a total of nine sacks during their rookie campaigns. Six of those belong to Karlaftis. Even before Spagnuolo became the team's defensive coordinator, Kansas City struggled to draft reliable defensive ends. Tanoh Kpassagnon and Breeland Speaks were second round picks in 2017 and 2018, respectively. They combined for 3.5 sacks in their rookie seasons and 8.5 total sacks during their time with the Chiefs. Gillotte could snap the streak of struggling Chiefs defensive ends. He joins a room with limited depth featuring Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Mike Danna, Malik Herring, Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu. Danna and Omenihu pose the biggest threats to Gillotte's snap count, but both veterans are battling back from injury-shortened campaigns that saw them post some of the worst numbers of their careers. Gillotte could absorb most of the snaps given to Anudike-Uzomah and Herring in 2024, which would put him around 500 regular season snaps. However, that number seems unreasonably high considering both Danna and Omenihu missed significant time. It's more likely that Gillotte plays somewhere between 300 and 400 snaps. In 2024, Pro Football Focus charted Karlaftis playing 65.8% of his snaps on passing downs. If Gillotte hits the same mark, he would total between 197 and 263 pass rush attempts. Gillotte applied pressure on 15.7% of his pass rushes at Louisville in 2024, but that's a lofty mark for a rookie. If he comes closer to Karlaftis' 2024 mark of 11.2%, Gillotte would finish 2025 with between 22 and 29 pressures. Sack totals are far more difficult to predict than pressures because they're a less consistent measurement. Three to five sacks seem like a reasonable projection for Gillotte. He should create more splash plays in run defense and might even approach ten total tackles for loss when combining his sacks with his work in run defense. Similar to fourth round pick Jalen Royals, Gillotte is a piece of Kansas City's plan to future-proof its roster. The Chiefs would save roughly nine million by cutting Danna next offseason, and Omenihu is on a cheap, one-year deal. Gillotte is the future of Kansas City's defensive line, but don't expect a flashy rookie season.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs rookie Ashton Gillotte explains the significance of his jersey number
Kansas City Chiefs rookie Ashton Gillotte explains the significance of his jersey number The Kansas City Chiefs selected defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte in the third round with the 66th pick in last weekend's draft, solidifying another high-potential player for coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. On Saturday, he met with the media at rookie camp and shared the story behind his jersey number. "Obviously, I started my college career in it, and it wasn't my first choice because obviously in high school I played in (number) nine," said Gillotte, "but I think going back to that is kind of symbolic in a lot of ways and meaningful to me just to have the option to go back into that number. Started my college career like that, so I'm going to start my NFL career like that too, so it's a good omen." The No. 97 jersey was last assigned to Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who has since switched to No. 91 to start the 2025 season. During his last season at Louisville, Gillotte earned Second-team All-ACC honors. He led the Cardinals with 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks and started 12 games with 43 total tackles.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Everything Chiefs fans need to know about KC's third-round pick EDGE Ashton Gillotte
Everything Chiefs fans need to know about KC's third-round pick EDGE Ashton Gillotte The Kansas City Chiefs selected one of college football's most exciting sack-masters, Louisville Cardinals edge rusher Ashton Gillotte, in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft. In 51 games as a collegian, Gillotte racked up 26.5 sacks and 41 tackles for loss, leading Louisville's defense as one of the top pass rushers in the Atlantic Coast Conference. With Gillotte in the mix, the Chiefs' front four should be able to feast on opposing passers next season as Kansas City endeavors to earn a spot in its fourth consecutive Super Bowl. Take a look at everything the Chiefs had to say about Gillotte in their official draft packet: Ashton Gillotte college bio "Spent four seasons at Louisville (2021-24) … Appeared in 51 games and recorded 131 tackles (73 solo), 40.5 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, 26.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one pass defensed … Played in 12 games in 2024 and tallied 43 tackles (23 solo) and 4.5 sacks … Led the country in hurries … Started all 14 games in 2023 recording 45 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks … Started 12 games in 2022 posting 7.0 sacks and eight tackles for loss … Appeared in 13 games (four starts) in 2021 and finished with 19 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks … Three-time All-ACC Academic selection (2022-24) … Finalist for the Campbell Trophy (2024) … CSC Academic All-American (2024) … First-team All-ACC (2023)." Ashton Gillotte personal notes Three-star prospect by 247Sports. Ranked as the No. 72 weakside defensive end and the No. 165 in Florida. Credited with 128 tackles during his career at Boca Raton (Fla.). Went to the state championship in weightlifting and was ranked 21st in the Southeast region for CrossFit. Ashton Gillotte draft notes Gillotte becomes the first defensive end to be selected by the Chiefs in the third round since DEAlex Magee was taken 67th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. This marks the fifth time the Chiefs have selected a defensive end in the NFL Draft in the last sixyears (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025). Gillotte was the first defensive end taken in the third round and the 10th defensive end takenoverall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Gillotte is the only former Louisville Cardinal on the current Chiefs roster. What did Gillotte have to say after the Chiefs drafted him? Q: What was your draft experience like? GILLOTTE: 'I was celebrating with my family. I have family outside – currently they're following me a littlebit. I was inside with (my) mom, dad, brother, sister, some close friends, aunts and uncles. A really tightgroup, people that I care a lot about – it's nice.' Q: Can you tell us more about your relationship with George Karlaftis? GILLOTTE: '(DE) George (Karlaftis) and I are coached by the same Coach – (Louisville Co-DefensiveCoordinator/Defensive Line) Mark Hagen. He had him at Purdue, and then Coach Hagen came to us(Louisville). The relationship with George is (that) he was training with us, just because (a) free facility inthe offseason, and so, my coach was like, 'I think this would be a good person for you to get in with. He'sa smart guy. I think you would be able to relate to him a little bit.' I was doing film study with him, watchingplays – he was watching (our) practice, saying, 'that's bad, you have to fix that.' He's very critical, but, ina lot of ways, he helped refine how our pass rushing needed to get to this level to be considered. It's kindof a mentor-type role, trying not to blow his phone up too much and try to respect it. Now he has nochoice, he's stuck with me.' Q: What were your conversations like with Steve Spagnuolo and the defensive staff?
Hamilton Spectator
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Chiefs solidify their offensive and defensive lines while plugging other holes during NFL draft
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs general manager Brett Veach saw the same thing that everyone else saw during the Super Bowl: His team was beaten up front on both sides of the ball by the Philadelphia Eagles in a lopsided and humbling defeat. He certainly took some swings at rectifying the situation in the NFL draft . The Chiefs used the final pick in the first round on Thursday night to select Ohio State's Josh Simmons , believed by many to be the most talented offensive tackle in the draft. The biggest reason Simmons fell to No. 32 overall is that he's coming off a torn patellar tendon, but the Chiefs are confident after their medical checks that he will play this season. Then, in the second round Friday night, they used the penultimate pick on Tennessee's Omarr Norman-Lott, who will slide into the middle of the defensive line alongside perennial Pro Bowl tackle Chris Jones. Throw in another draft pick on the defensive front in the third round — pass rusher Ashton Gillotte of Louisville — and the Chiefs were able to address their most pressing needs before they even reached the middle rounds of the draft. 'Well, certainly there was a lot of discussion about the offensive line following the Super Bowl, and Brett — as he often does — took advantage of free agency to go ahead and reinforce it,' Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said, alluding to the signing of offensive tackle Jaylon Moore and defensive lineman Jerry Tillery earlier in the offseason. 'That's one of the best things that he does,' Hunt said, 'is he puts us in a position going into the draft where we don't have to draft based on need, and particularly when you're drafting as late as we do every year. Taking the best player available gives you a chance of getting somebody who can stick with the organization and make an impact long-term.' That is exactly what the Chiefs see in their first- and second-round picks. While all the reports on Simmons' knee came back positive, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he was unsure exactly what Patrick Mahomes' new blind side protector would do this offseason. He may sit out the upcoming rookie minicamp, and perhaps the rest of voluntary workouts. But the Chiefs believe he will be on the field when training camp begins in July. 'Again, a lot of work ahead on the football side and on the rehab side,' Veach said, 'but we've got a great coaching staff, great locker room, great training staff. so we feel good about what we can get out of him.' Familiar faces The Chiefs were searching for a pass rusher to complement George Karlaftis, and they wound up with one in Gillotte, who is already familiar with his new teammate. Karlaftis played for defensive line coach Mark Hagen at Purdue, and Hagen left there for Louisville, where he tutored Gillotte last season. The two players have even worked out together. '(Karlaftis) was watching practice, being like, 'Oh that's bad, you've got to fix that,'' Gillotte said. 'He's very critical, but in a lot of ways, he helped refine how I pass rush and get to this level to be considered.' Trading up The Chiefs believed so strongly in California cornerback Nohl Williams that they sent their 95th pick and a fourth-rounder next year to New England to move up 10 spots and pick him 85th overall. The Chiefs needed help at the position, and Williams certainly was productive in college, picking off 14 passes during five seasons. Day 3 steal Some draftniks thought Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals could go as high as the second round. So when he was still there in the fourth round, the Chiefs grabbed him to help fill out a young but exciting wide receiver room. The Chiefs should get Rashee Rice back from injury this season, and Xavier Worthy is coming off a breakout rookie season. Depth at linebacker The Chiefs picked up a fifth-round pick in a first-day trade with Philadelphia, and they used it on Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, who should provide depth while also having the versatility to play all four phases of special teams. What else is left Few teams better filled their biggest holes than the Chiefs did during the draft. They have just one running back signed beyond the upcoming season, so they added SMU's Brashard Smith in the seventh round. But they did not manage to land a high-profile tight end with Travis Kelce's future in football uncertain beyond the 2025 campaign. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs solidify their offensive and defensive lines while plugging other holes during NFL draft
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs general manager Brett Veach saw the same thing that everyone else saw during the Super Bowl: His team was beaten up front on both sides of the ball by the Philadelphia Eagles in a lopsided and humbling defeat. He certainly took some swings at rectifying the situation in the NFL draft. Advertisement The Chiefs used the final pick in the first round on Thursday night to select Ohio State's Josh Simmons, believed by many to be the most talented offensive tackle in the draft. The biggest reason Simmons fell to No. 32 overall is that he's coming off a torn patellar tendon, but the Chiefs are confident after their medical checks that he will play this season. Then, in the second round Friday night, they used the penultimate pick on Tennessee's Omarr Norman-Lott, who will slide into the middle of the defensive line alongside perennial Pro Bowl tackle Chris Jones. Throw in another draft pick on the defensive front in the third round — pass rusher Ashton Gillotte of Louisville — and the Chiefs were able to address their most pressing needs before they even reached the middle rounds of the draft. 'Well, certainly there was a lot of discussion about the offensive line following the Super Bowl, and Brett — as he often does — took advantage of free agency to go ahead and reinforce it,' Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said, alluding to the signing of offensive tackle Jaylon Moore and defensive lineman Jerry Tillery earlier in the offseason. Advertisement 'That's one of the best things that he does,' Hunt said, 'is he puts us in a position going into the draft where we don't have to draft based on need, and particularly when you're drafting as late as we do every year. Taking the best player available gives you a chance of getting somebody who can stick with the organization and make an impact long-term.' That is exactly what the Chiefs see in their first- and second-round picks. While all the reports on Simmons' knee came back positive, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he was unsure exactly what Patrick Mahomes' new blind side protector would do this offseason. He may sit out the upcoming rookie minicamp, and perhaps the rest of voluntary workouts. But the Chiefs believe he will be on the field when training camp begins in July. 'Again, a lot of work ahead on the football side and on the rehab side,' Veach said, "but we've got a great coaching staff, great locker room, great training staff. so we feel good about what we can get out of him.' Advertisement Familiar faces The Chiefs were searching for a pass rusher to complement George Karlaftis, and they wound up with one in Gillotte, who is already familiar with his new teammate. Karlaftis played for defensive line coach Mark Hagen at Purdue, and Hagen left there for Louisville, where he tutored Gillotte last season. The two players have even worked out together. '(Karlaftis) was watching practice, being like, 'Oh that's bad, you've got to fix that,'' Gillotte said. 'He's very critical, but in a lot of ways, he helped refine how I pass rush and get to this level to be considered." Trading up Advertisement The Chiefs believed so strongly in California cornerback Nohl Williams that they sent their 95th pick and a fourth-rounder next year to New England to move up 10 spots and pick him 85th overall. The Chiefs needed help at the position, and Williams certainly was productive in college, picking off 14 passes during five seasons. Day 3 steal Some draftniks thought Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals could go as high as the second round. So when he was still there in the fourth round, the Chiefs grabbed him to help fill out a young but exciting wide receiver room. The Chiefs should get Rashee Rice back from injury this season, and Xavier Worthy is coming off a breakout rookie season. Depth at linebacker Advertisement The Chiefs picked up a fifth-round pick in a first-day trade with Philadelphia, and they used it on Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, who should provide depth while also having the versatility to play all four phases of special teams. What else is left Few teams better filled their biggest holes than the Chiefs did during the draft. They have just one running back signed beyond the upcoming season, so they added SMU's Brashard Smith in the seventh round. But they did not manage to land a high-profile tight end with Travis Kelce's future in football uncertain beyond the 2025 campaign. ___ AP NFL:
