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Where ESPN ranks Omarr Norman-Lott's rookie impact with the Kansas City Chiefs

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•05/12/25•

GrantRamey

Omarr Norman-Lott , Kansas City Chiefs | Steve Sanders
Omarr Norman-Lott , Kansas City Chiefs | Steve Sanders

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Field Yates on Monday ranked Omarr Norman-Lott among the biggest rookie impact players drafted outside of the first round. The former Tennessee defensive tackle was ranked No. 7 among defensive players.

Norman-Lott was picked at No. 63 overall, selected in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs. 

“Adding another defensive tackle was a priority for the Chiefs early in this draft,” Yates wrote, “considering they lost Tershawn Wharton in free agency. Having another big body on the defensive line can make life easier for Chris Jones.”

Omarr Norman-Lott was ninth DT selected in 2025 NFL Draft 

“Norman-Lott is a standout pass rusher from inside, showing disruptive up-field rush skills that helped him to 9.5 sacks over the past two seasons. Playing next to Jones should create plenty of one-on-one rush reps for him.”

The other defensive rookie impact players ranked ahead of Norman-Lott were Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori, Cardinals corner Will Johnson, Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., 49ers linebacker Nick Martin and Colts edge JT Tuimoloau.

Norman-Lott played 23 games over Tennessee at the last two seasons, transferring to the Vols after three years at Arizona State. He had 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks at Tennessee and 17 TFLs and 13.5 sacks over his five-year college career. 

Last season he had four tackles for loss and four sacks in 13 games.

‘I’m excited to go out there and do it and prove all the naysayers wrong’

“I was surprised to see the Chiefs pull Omarr Norman-Lott from way, way down my board at No. 63,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. wrote while grading the NFL Draft. “He just snuck into my top 150 at No. 142 overall. Norman-Lott started just five of his 45 career games.

“He has some pass-rush upside (4.5 sacks from inside),” Kiper wrote, “but I don’t understand what Kansas City saw in the value here. And that’s especially true since Darius Alexander was still on the board; he was over 100 spots higher in my rankings.”

Norman-Lott was the ninth defensive tackle selected in the draft, which included five in the first round alone. 

“I’m excited to go out there and do it and prove all the naysayers wrong,” Norman-Lott said during Chiefs rookie minicamp. “But I’m not the kind of guy that listens to all the outside chatter. I just focus on what’s at hand, stay where my feet are at and play hard.”

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