Chiefs' Day 2 picks give recent free-agent signings a brutal reality check

The Kansas City Chiefs had a golden opportunity in the 2025 NFL Draft to secure a solid core of young talent with three of the first 66 picks overall. After those selections revealed a dedication to rebuilding the trenches, some recent free-agent signings are feeling more pressure than ever in K.C.

The Chiefs went with three linemen with their first three NFL draft picks this year, with two of those coming along the defensive front on Day 2. Specifically, they grabbed Tennessee interior lineman Omarr Norman-Lott at No. 63 before turning in a draft card for Louisville defensive end Ashton Gillotte at No. 66.

Given the influx of new competitors up front, especially with precious draft capital on day two, that means free agents like Janarius Robinson and Jerry Tillery are feeling the heat.

Kansas City’s early investments in the trenches are already shaking up the depth chart—and some recent signings are now on the roster bubble.

The Chiefs signed Tillery, former draft pick for the Chargers, to join the defensive line rotation near the start of free agency to bolster the unit given the loss of Tershawn Wharton to the Carolina Panthers. Alongside Tillery, the Chiefs also brought back Mike Pennel for another year to play on early downs and give the Chiefs another dependable player up front.

To compete along the edges, the Chiefs also added another former AFC West rival in Janarius Robinson, who caught on with the Raiders over the last two seasons. Robinson alkso inked a one-year deal, like Tillery, and brought some late-bloomer potential to the depth chart at defensive end.

Now, however, things are looking quite crowded up front for the Chiefs, and it will be harder than ever for both players to make the final roster. Tillery looks like he has an easier chance of things given that he's still clearly one of the top four tackles on the roster and the Chiefs will keep that many at least.

That said, Steve Spagnuolo, the team's defensive coordinator, also values versatile players who can slide inside and out, which means such distinctions don't really matter all that much to the Chiefs. It's not as if they need four or five committed tackles to round out the roster, and Tillery could still have issues in camp.

As for Robinson, he's definitely positioned on the outside looking in, knowing that George Karlaftis is back with Mike Danna as likely starters to go with Gillotte as the new kid on the block. Charles Omenihu is also returning for one more year, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah is a former first-round pick who isn't going anywhere in 2025, even if his production has been lacking.

The presence of other roster hopefuls like Marlon Tuipulotu, Siaki Ika, and Fabien Lovett Sr. inside and Malik Herring and B.J. Thompson outside only further clouds the picture. For a couple of signings that seemed like solid additions only weeks ago, the Chiefs' newest draft picks are going to make the competition that much tougher later this summer.