Ashton Gillotte 2025 NFL Draft: EDGE Scouting Report

In this loaded 2025 NFL Draft class, a standout edge rusher to know is Ashton Gillotte. He’s a power-based pass rusher from Louisville with a high football IQ. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook with this in-depth expert scouting report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.

Ashton Gillotte 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Gillotte has earned a reputation as one of the most tenacious and technically sound edge defenders in the ACC over his four-year stint at Louisville. A former three-star recruit out of Boca Raton, Gillotte’s development into a potential Day 2 NFL Draft pick is a testament to his work ethic, football IQ, and raw power.

With 37 career starts and a stat line that includes 26.5 sacks and 41 tackles for loss—both ranking in Louisville’s all-time top 10—Gillotte has been a consistent disruptor. His 2023 season (11 sacks, 14.5 TFLs) earned him First-Team All-ACC honors and Second-Team All-American nods, though his production dipped slightly in 2024 (4.5 sacks, 10 TFLs) due to increased offensive attention and scheme adjustments.

HT: 6025
WT: 264
40: 4.74
ARM: 3148

Strengths:

• Power-Based Pass Rushing: Gillotte’s bread-and-butter is his ability to collapse pockets with sheer force. His bull rush is a leverage and hand placement clinic, often driving tackles back into the quarterback’s lap. He pairs this with a strong rip move to disengage and close on the QB.
• Run Defense: A stout edge setter, Gillotte plays with a low pad level and heavy hands, making him tough to move at the point of attack. He’s disciplined in maintaining his gap and rarely overpursues, showing good awareness against misdirection and zone schemes.
• Motor and Effort: Relentless is the word for Gillotte. He plays through the whistle, chasing plays from the backside with impressive hustle for a player of his size. His competitive toughness stands out on film—he’s often seen battling double teams or scraping off blocks to make second-effort tackles.
• Versatility: While primarily a 4-3 defensive end, Gillotte has experience sliding inside to 4i or 3-technique in pass-rush packages. His ability to handle interior gaps gives him scheme flexibility at the next level.
• Football IQ: Gillotte plays smart. He recognizes blocking schemes quickly, easily adjusts to stunts and twists, and rarely gets caught out of position. His instincts shine in run defense, where he sniffs out screens and counters effectively.

Areas for Improvement:

• Athletic Ceiling: Gillotte isn’t a twitchy, bend-the-edge rusher. He lacks the elite first-step quickness and hip flexibility to win consistently with speed around the corner. This caps his ceiling as a pure pass-rush specialist.
• Length Limitations: With his arm length, Gillotte can struggle against longer tackles who get their hands on him first. He compensates with technique, but bigger NFL linemen may pose problems in one-on-one matchups.
• Pass-Rush Arsenal: While effective with power, Gillotte’s repertoire lacks diversity. He doesn’t have a consistent counter when his initial move stalls, and his spin move, while occasionally flashy, isn’t refined enough to rely on.
• Change of Direction: In space, Gillotte shows some stiffness. He’s not fluid when asked to redirect or pursue laterally, which could limit him against mobile quarterbacks or in coverage drops (though rare for his role).
• Inconsistency Against Elite Competition: Against top-tier tackles in 2024 (Notre Dame, Clemson), Gillotte occasionally disappeared for stretches. He’ll need to prove he can win against NFL-caliber linemen with more than just power.

Conclusion:

Overall, Gillotte isn’t a flashy prospect but a solid football player. He’s the kind of guy who’ll carve out a 10-year career as a solid starter, rack up 6-8 sacks a year, and never take a play off. His limitations are real, but so is his ability to impact games at the line of scrimmage—a future coach’s favorite who’ll earn his paycheck every Sunday.

Ultimately, Gillotte projects as a base 4-3 defensive end who can kick inside on passing downs. He’d thrive in a scheme that values power rushers and allows him to play with his hand in the dirt, such as those run by the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, or Detroit Lions. Teams looking for a pure speed rusher will pass, but those needing a high-floor, blue-collar defender with pass-rush upside will see value.

Like Trey Hendrickson, Gillotte isn’t the most athletic edge rusher but wins with power, effort, and a high football IQ. Both players excel at setting the edge and generating pressure through technique rather than raw speed or bend. Gillotte’s ceiling may be a tick lower due to his length, but the play style aligns.

Round Grade: 3rd Round

Stats: Per Sports Reference

Trending Now

Dynasty Rookie ADP

2025 NFL Draft Big Board

NFLPA Team Report Cards