Going into last weekend’s NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs needed help across the defensive line. So with the next-to-last pick of the second round, they took Tennessee defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott — and then just three picks later, selected Louisville defensive end Ashton Gillette.
Neither player was on the short lists of very many Kansas City fans.
Norman-Lott was in for just 26% of the Volunteers’ defensive snaps last season — but when he spoke to reporters during the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp on Saturday, he noted there weren’t very many to go around.
“Of course you want to play more,” he explained, “but we had a rotation of 16 tackles who could all start in the SEC.”
And just like Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Volunteers’ defensive line coach Rodney Gardner believes in keeping his players fresh.
“So I took [the] opportunities that I was given [and] made the best of it,” continued Norman-Lott. “To hit on the second part, it’ll be the same thing in the NFL. Whatever opportunities I have, I’m gonna make the best of [them] — whether it’s more or less.”
Norman-Lott is also making the most of an opportunity to build a relationship with Gillotte.
“He’s my roommate in the hotel,” he revealed, “so we sat there and talked playbook the whole night yesterday — and just things we have on our mind for this upcoming season [and the] years to come.”
It won’t hurt a bit for the two rookies to work together.
“It’s a pretty complex playbook [Spagnuolo] has going on,” said Norman-Lott, “but I am confident I’ll be able to get a hold of it and learn it. Spags is a great coach — and I’m ready.”
For his part, Gillotte believes most of the work will involve learning the terms Kansas City uses.
“It’s a lot of switching lingo; I feel like that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “But obviously, I’ve got a lot to learn. [It’s] a big playbook — [a] very developed game — so I I’ll try to pick the best brains when I can and and go from there.”
In the meantime, the two players are building a bond.
“He’s a great roommate,” offered Norman-Lott. “He doesn’t even snore. And me, on the other hand? I can’t promise you that.”
According to Gillote, his new teammate has nothing to worry about.
“I love that man. I can tell we’re building a chemistry right now. But he doesn’t snore, so that’s a blessing; I can actually sleep at night. But he’s a funny dude — like, just be real.”
For both players, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind since they were drafted on Friday night.
“It’s been great,” said Gillotte. “It’s been kind of a blitz — [a] very quick turnaround — and obviously, [I’m] grateful to be here. Monday I’ve got to go back and bring all my stuff over. So [I] try not to think about that right now. But it’s [a] great feeling — and to be in an organization like this is very special.”
And for both young men, it’s finally hitting home that their dreams are coming true.
“Last night at the rookie dinner,” volunteered Norman-Lott, “they played a little highlight of the Chiefs and all the plays they made — right after Mr. Hunt was done talking. In that moment, in my head, I’m like, “Dude you’re really here. This is real.’”
