The Chiefs selected Gillotte with the No. 66 overall pick on Friday night

Matt McMullen

The Kansas City Chiefs added to their pass-rush on Friday night by selecting Louisville edge-rusher Ashton Gillotte with the No. 66 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Here's more on the Chiefs' newest edge-rusher.

1. Gillotte recorded some big-time production during his career at Louisville.

The 6-foot-3, 264-pound Gillotte racked up 39.5 tackles-for-loss and 25.5 sacks in 50 career games for the Cardinals, ranking in the top six in school history in each catetogry.

His top statistical season took place in 2023, when he tallied 14.5 tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles and led the ACC with 11 sacks. In terms of "pressures created," however, Gillotte was actually more productive in 2024 (60 pressures created) than in 2023 (58 pressures created).

Additionally, Senior Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway lauded Gillotte's motor on Friday night:

"This kid plays 100 miles-per-hour," Bradway said. "He's everything you want in a football player."

2. He has experience playing all over the defensive front.

Gillotte was primarily an edge-rusher during his time at Louisville, but it's worth mentioning that he also logged some snaps as an interior, "three-technique" defensive tackle in certain situations during his career.

That experience is significant considering Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's tendency to deploy his edge-rushers all over the defensive line. Gillotte's size should certainly allow for that.

Pro Football Focus, which described Gillotte as "strong as an ox" added the following:

"Pound-for-pound, he is an impressive run defender and can even slide into play 3-technqiue or 4i defensive tackle."

3. He was a member of Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List" due to his athletic measurables.

Gillotte earned a spot on the annual "Freaks List" ahead of the 2022 season in recognition of his athletic gifts. Here's what Feldmanwrote about Gillotte:

"A Florida high school standout powerlifter and shot putter, Gillotte arrived at U of L very advanced in the weight room, and that helped him make a splash on the field, notching eight TFLs and four sacks. The 6-2 Gillotte has added a dozen pounds or so and is now up to 276 but still has hit 19.9 mph on the GPS and vertical-jumped 36 inches. He power-cleans 390, but strength coach Ben Sowders said he could probably do 405. "He's so explosive."

In a similar vein, Gillotte received high praise in the form of Kent Lee Platte's "relative athletic score," too.

4. He described his uncle as a "die-hard Chiefs fan."

Gillotte, who was already wearing a Chiefs' hat and shirt during his post-draft interview with reporters, mentioned that his uncle is "a die-hard Chiefs fan who called it from the beginning."

Gillotte wasn't sure how his uncle became a fan, but noted that he has been one for as long as he can remember. As it turns out, Gillotte's uncle can now watch his nephew as a member of his favorite team.

5. Gillotte is already familiar with Chiefs' defensive end George Karlaftis.

The 22-year-old Gillotte is already well-acquainted with one of his new teammates in defensive end George Karlaftis, who has trained with Gillotte after the two were linked up by a mutual college coach.

Gillotte explained that Karlaftis would even break down film with him, crediting his advice for his ascension into an NFL-caliber player.

"He helped refine how I pass-rush and [helped me] get to this level," Gillotte said. "He's kind of like a mentor [for me]. I don't try to blow his phone up too much, I try to respect [his time], but now he doesn't have a choice. He's stuck with me."

Indeed, Gillotte will now have a chance to learn even more from Karlaftis in 2025 as teammates on the Chiefs.