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The dynasty just keeps rolling. Even with the confetti barely swept up from their latest Super Bowl parade, the Kansas City Chiefs appear to have struck gold again in the draft. While fans are rightfully focused on the big guys protecting Patrick Mahomes, it’s a defensive newcomer who’s turning heads at OTAs. Third-round defensive end Ashton Gillotte from Louisville isn’t just impressing — he’s looking downright dominant.
Gillotte was no slouch in college, earning All-ACC honors twice during his time with the Cardinals. His career took off when Jeff Brohm — a Louisville alum himself — replaced Scott Satterfield as head coach. The Florida native from Boca Raton showed explosive development under Brohm’s guidance, and that combination of speed and raw power seems to be translating perfectly to the NFL level.
Early Practice Footage Has Former Chief Buzzing
It didn’t take long for Gillotte to make an impression. Former Chiefs receiver Gehrig Dieter spotted the rookie absolutely demolishing a blocking sled on the team’s Instagram account and couldn’t contain his excitement.
“This guy is [g]oing to be a DAWGG,” Dieter wrote.
The footage shows Gillotte attacking practice equipment with the kind of ferocity that makes defensive coaches smile and offensive linemen lose sleep. His explosive first step and violent hand technique are already turning heads within the organization.
This guy is doing to be a DAWGGG https://t.co/pgitdein3e
— Gehrig Dieter (@GehrigDieter) June 3, 2025
This development shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s been paying attention to Kansas City’s formula for success.
Gillotte Represents Chiefs’ Championship Blueprint
There’s method to KC’s madness here. The front office acquired this pick as part of the L’Jarius Sneed trade with Tennessee last offseason — a move that initially worried some fans. Sneed got paid elsewhere, but the Chiefs marched right back to the Super Bowl while collecting assets for the future.
What makes Gillotte’s situation particularly promising is his landing spot. Just as Jeff Brohm elevated his game at Louisville, now he’ll be learning from Steve Spagnuolo — one of the NFL’s premier defensive minds. “Spags” has a knack for maximizing pass rushers’ talents within his complex defensive system.
The Mahomes effect can’t be overlooked either. When your quarterback is the best player on the planet, it elevates everyone’s performance. Teammates naturally give that extra effort knowing their generational QB can deliver if they just make one more play.
Kansas City’s front office clearly learned from their Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia two seasons ago. The Eagles dominated that game in the trenches with their fearsome defensive line. It’s become increasingly clear across both NFL and college football — teams with elite defensive fronts tend to hoist trophies at season’s end.
While it’s still early, Gillotte shows all the markers of becoming a key contributor to Kansas City’s defensive rotation. His combination of power, technique and motor could make him the latest mid-round steal for a franchise that’s mastered the art of finding value throughout the draft.
If his development continues on this trajectory, the Louisville product might soon be chasing quarterbacks on Sundays the way he’s currently attacking blocking sleds in practice. And that’s a terrifying thought for the rest of the AFC.
