Now that the Kansas City Chiefs have taken seven players in the 2025 NFL Draft, let’s project the role each one will play during their rookie season.

Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons

Round 1, pick 32

Predicting Simmons’ role is tricky, because we don’t know how he will ramp up to playing. According to head coach Andy Reid, he’s expected to be healthy by training camp. But how much does the team want to put on him right away?

I think the best approach is to have Jaylon Moore begin camp as the starting left tackle. That will give Simmons time to pick up the offense and get himself physically ready to play. If Simmons looks good, then he should play immediately. Moore is a career backup — and Simmons has more talent.

But this shouldn’t be the expectation. Simmons is coming off a serious injury. If he’s not ready, that’s okay. As he recovers, Moore can start. But once Simmons is available, the Chiefs shouldn’t hesitate to put him in — unless Moore (and the rest of the offensive line) are playing well. We’ll just have to see how well Simmons can play during camp and preseason.

Tennessee defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott

Round 2, pick 63

Among these rookies, I actually think Norman-Lott has the easiest path to playing on Day 1. Kansas City remains thin at defensive tackle, so he’s going to play. I think he’ll get 20-25 snaps a game as a 3-tech, giving Chris Jones a breather.

Still, I could see Norman-Lott getting an expanded role if he can provide an immediate boost to the pass rush; it would be intriguing to see him line up as a nose tackle and rush the passer on third downs. The Chiefs don’t put Jones there because it’s easier for offenses to double-team him. But Jones still gets doubled when he’s out wide, which means Norman-Lott could be one-on-one against a center. That’s a way he can make an impact as a rookie.

Louisville defensive end Ashton Gillotte

Round 3, pick 66

Gillotte’s role could depend on his weight. If he plays between 275 and 280 pounds — as he did with the Cardinals — he’s likely to be a run-defending defensive end who can play tight to tackles and deal with double teams.

But since he did his athletic testing at 265 pounds, Kansas City may see him as more of a pass rusher. While Gillotte was mainly a power rusher in college, he has shown some other moves, too. There’s a chance that with these moves — and his athleticism — Gillotte could help the Chiefs as a third-down rusher around the corner. That’s something the team lacked in 2024.

California cornerback Nohl Williams

Round 3, pick 95

Right now, Williams is seventh on the depth chart. When the Chiefs play dime, Trent McDuffie, Kristian Fulton, Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks will be on the field; there’s no room for Williams unless there is an injury. Fulton, however, has an injury history — and Watson has often been a rotational player. If one of those guys gets hurt (or struggles), then Williams in the slot — thereby pushing McDuffie outside — feels like the natural move.

Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals

Round 4, Pick 133

There is plenty of duplication among the team’s wideouts. With Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown — and now Royals — the Chiefs have four explosive receivers who are best in the slot, in motion and on underneath routes. So how the Chiefs deploy these players will be fascinating.

Royals could easily play more than Brown. At 205 pounds, his size might matter in a room with Rice and Worthy. While he isn’t an X receiver, he’s a better downfield route runner than Brown — and I think he can deal with more hits. If Royals picks up the offense right away, I could see him being Kansas City’s third receiver.

Oregon linebacker Jeff Bassa

Round 5, pick 156

It’s easy to see: Bassa will be the fourth linebacker and play special teams. If a linebacker gets hurt, he’ll play. If he has to play on defense, his skillset is similar to Drue Tranquill’s.

SMU running back Brashard Smith

Round 7, pick 228

Smith is likely to be used in a role similar to Jerick McKinnon’s. He’s an explosive mover who can make guys miss in space. He’s small, so he won’t be able to handle a heavy workload or interior runs — but as a change-of-pace back, he’ll be able to play immediately.

Smith — a former wide receiver — caught 39 passes for SMU in 2024. With his skills in space, I love the idea of having him on swing routes — and the Chiefs desperately need someone who can do that. If he can pick up pass protection fairly easily, I think Smith will quickly become the third-down back who mixes in with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt.