With training camp season arriving, NFL clubs are busy signing remaining second-round draft picks to rookie-scale contracts. The Kansas City Chiefs are no different, and they finally have a deal done with one of their prized selections from April.
Per a July 19 report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Kansas City has signed defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott. The 63rd overall 2025 NFL Draft pick out of Tennessee is officially a Chief.
“The #Chiefs have agreed to terms with second-round pick DT Omarr Norman-Lott, sources say, their 63rd overall selection,” Rapoport’s post on X began. “Deal was done by Ian Grutman of GSE Worldwide.”
Omarr Norman-Lott Rookie Contract Made Official
In recent days, several early second-round picks were signing for fully-guaranteed deals. It’s an unprecedented trend, albeit one that’s great for the players. Norman-Lott, even as a late second-round pick, is part of a historic draft class.
On the second night of the NFL Draft, Norman-Lott provided his initial reaction to joining the team.
“I’m incredibly blessed to be a part of the Chiefs Kingdom,” Norman-Lott said. “I’m so happy and so ready to get in the system, learn the system and just be a hell of a player for the Chiefs Kingdom.”
After spending three seasons at Arizona State, Norman-Lott finished his collegiate career with a two-year stint at Tennessee. In 2023 and 2024 with the Volunteers, he amassed 44 tackles (10 for loss) and 9.5 sacks. On just 225 total defensive snaps this past year, he managed to log 27 pressures and 13 hurries. According to Pro Football Focus, Norman-Lott’s pass rush win rate of 18.9% led all qualified defensive tackles.
That, combined with some tremendous explosiveness testing during the pre-draft process, made Norman-Lott a Day 2 pick. At 6-foot-1, 291 pounds, he’s a compact interior rusher who packs a punch at the line of scrimmage. Because Tennessee rotated linemen frequently, the football world never got a look at him as a total every-down piece. He’s more of a specialist.
How Norman-Lott Fits Into Chiefs’ Defensive Line Picture in 2025
Early in his professional career, Norman-Lott is expected to play a similar role. The Chiefs’ pass rush, of course, is headlined by All-Pro Chris Jones. As Jones enters his age-31 campaign, it’s reasonable to expect Kansas City to dial his workload back a bit (career-high 83% snaps played last season). That seems like a potential path for Norman-Lott to see the field.
Because he isn’t a great run defender, Norman-Lott likely won’t line up next to Jones a ton. That’s typically reserved for either a more polished veteran pass-rush specialist or a reliable run-stuffing option. Even with Derrick Nnadi moving on in free agency, the Chiefs still have veteran Mike Pennel as a de facto nose tackle. Norman-Lott’s primary competition elsewhere is Jerry Tillery and maybe even someone like Fabien Lovett Sr.
Given the ability of players like Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu to be kicked inside on later downs, that also presents a potential roadblock for Norman-Lott. Entering the season, it’s hard to see him getting an overwhelming workload. 2026 and beyond is more so the vision for him, which might lead to some feeling his rookie campaign is a letdown.
Viewing his role with context at hand, though, adds plenty of buffer.
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