From sixth-round draft pick to high-stakes NFL veteran
In short: In the unpredictable world of professional football, few trajectories are as resilient as Alohi Gilman's. After entering the league as a late-round selection, he transformed from a depth player into a defensive cornerstone, navigating injuries, coaching changes, and major trades to secure his place in the NFL.
Alohi Gilman’s professional journey began in the 2020 NFL draft, where the Los Angeles Chargers selected him in the sixth round, 186th overall. While some analysts, such as those at Pro Football Focus, had ranked him as high as the ninth best safety prospect available, others placed him much lower, with projections ranging from the third round down to the late sixth. His path to the pros was paved by a standout collegiate career, moving from the United States Naval Academy, where he recorded 76 tackles as a freshman, to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
His tenure with the Chargers was marked by significant defensive contributions and frequent roster shifts. Gilman proved his ability to perform in high-pressure moments, notably intercepting a pass from Patrick Mahomes in 2021 to help secure a comeback victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite facing various setbacks, including a quadriceps injury in 2021 and a hamstring injury that eventually landed him on injured reserve in late 2024, he remained a vital part of the secondary. His 2023 season was particularly impressive, earning an 86.1 grade from Pro Football Focus after recording 73 combined tackles and ten pass deflections.
The latter part of Gilman's career has been defined by movement and major contract milestones. Following a trade to the Baltimore Ravens in October 2025—a deal that also involved a fifth-round pick—he achieved a rare feat by scoring an 84-yard touchdown on a pick-six against the Cincinnati Bengals. A three-year, $24.75 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, signed in March 2026, solidified his status as a dependable defensive force.
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