NFL Draft 2013: Best Chiefs Picks Ever, By Round
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
As the 2013 NFL Draft gets closer, the fever gets higher. Where are the Kansas City Chiefs going? What are they going to do?
I decided to dig into the history of the franchise and look at the highlights
from every round.
1st Round
1. Tony Gonzalez – TE, 13th pick in 1997.
This one was tough, but I went with Tony number one overall due to the fact that
Tony is the greatest of all time at his position. I’m talking to you, Shannon Sharpe.
2. Buck Buchanan – DT, 1st pick in 1963.
Easily could be number one as he was one of the most disruptive forces during the
Chiefs’ early heydays. The Raiders drafted Gene Upshaw just to handle him.
3. Derrick Thomas – LB, 4th pick in 1989.
It was hard to put DT at number three on any list but while the first two are arguably the greatest at their position, DT falls behind the original LT. Still, DT remains the franchise leader in sacks with 126.5.
4. Neil Smith – DE, 2nd pick in 1988.
Paired with DT, they created the most feared tandem in the league during the early
90’s. Smith is second in the franchise with 85.5 sacks.
5. Ed Budde – G, 8th pick in 1963.
Starting guard on both Super Bowl teams. Seven-time Pro Bowler and two-
time All-Pro.
Honorable Mention – E.J. Holub LB (6th pick, 1961) Art Still DE (2nd pick,
1978) John Alt T (21st pick, 1984) Derrick Johnson LB (15th pick, 2005) Tamba
Hali DE (20th pick, 2006)
2nd Round
1. Willie Lanier – LB, 50th pick in 1967.
One of the greatest middle linebackers in not only franchise but league history; was first African-American starting middle linebacker in NFL history.
2. Christian Okoye – RB, 35th pick in 1987.
The “Nigerian Nightmare” was the focal point of the early days of Marty Ball, and was the franchise rushing leader with 4,897 yards until Priest Holmes passed him. Arguably the greatest player in Tecmo Bowl history.
3. Joe Delaney – RB, 41st pick in 1981.
1981 AFC Rookie of the Year had many more promising years ahead of him before tragically drowning try to save three children.
4. Curley Culp – DT, 31st pick in 1968.
This 2013 Hall of Famer helped anchor the line for the Super Bowl team, and was a 2-time Pro Bowler during his tenure with the Chiefs.
5. Ed Podolak – RB, 48th pick in 1969.
Third in franchise history for all-purpose yards at 7,816. Set a playoff record for all-purpose yardage in the famous “Longest Game Ever Played” game against the Dolphins with 350 total yards.
Honorable Mention – Jim Lynch LB (47th pick, 1967) Tim Grunhard C (40th pick, 1990) Brandon Flowers DB (35th pick, 2008) Bernard Pollard DB (54th pick, 2006) Dino Hackett LB (35th pick, 1986)
3rd Round
1. Will Shields – G, 74th pick in 1993.
The greatest Guard in franchise history was a steal in the Third Round; a future Hall of Famer and 12-time Pro Bowler who started a franchise record 231 straight games.
2. Jim Tyrer – T, 22nd pick in 1961.
Formed with Budde one of the best left sides of the line during the Chiefs’ dominance of the Sixties. A 9-time Pro Bowler and 6-time All-Pro whose legacy is marred by his death.
3. Jamaal Charles – RB, 73rd pick in 2008.
Speedy back already fourth in franchise history in rushing yardage with 4,536 yards. Set the single game franchise rushing record with 259 yards against the Broncos in the final week of the 2009 season and is the NFL’s current all-time leader in yards-per-carry average at 5.79.
4. Gary Spani – LB, 58th pick in 1978.
Tackle machine is still franchise leader in career tackles with 999. Held single season tackles record with 157 until 2002.
5. Henry Marshall – WR, 79th pick in 1976.
Marshall sits second on the club’s career reception list at 416. He is also is third in club history in receiving yardage with 6,545.
Honorable Mention – Gary Barbaro DB (74th pick, 1976) Albert Lewis DB (61st
pick, 1983) Dustin Colquitt P (99th pick, 2005) Lloyd Burruss DB (78th pick,
1981) Lake Dawson WR (92nd pick, 1994)
4th Round
1. Otis Taylor – WR, 29th pick in 1965.
Famously escaped from NFL scouts to join the Chiefs. Made one of the key plays in the Super Bowl IV victory over the Vikings. Second in club history with 7,306 career receiving yards.
2. Jack Rudnay – C, 101st pick in 1969.
A solid Center who was a 4-time Pro Bowler in the Seventies. Played in 144 straight games before entering Ring of Honor in 1994.
3. Jared Allen – DE, 126th pick in 2004.
Sack machine and mullet enthusiast who was originally drafted as a long snapper. We all wonder what could have been if only he and Carl could have worked something out.
4. Donnie Edwards – LB, 98th pick in 1996.
Solid linebacker; started and finished his career with the Chiefs. Sorely missed during his five years in San Diego in between.
5. Frank Pitts – WR, 32nd pick in 1965.
Gets the nod since he was the other starting receiver for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win.
5th Round
1. Jerry Mays – DE, 38th pick in 1961
Named to the All-Time AFL Team. Was Captain on both Super Bowl Teams in addition to being a 7-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro.
2. Dante Hall – WR, 153rd pick in 2000.
One of the most exciting players for the Chiefs during the 2000’s. X-Factor, one of the greatest return men in NFL history, returned 11 kicks/punts for TD’s during his Chiefs career, including four in four straight games in 2003, an NFL record.
3. Carlos Carson – WR, 114th pick in 1980.
Carson currently ranks fourth on career receiving yardage in club history with 6,360. Made the Pro Bowl in 1987.
4. Brandon Carr – DB, 140th pick in 2008.
Solid starting cornerback for 4 seasons. Was sorely missed this past season. Stanford Routt anyone?
5. Kendrick Lewis – DB, 136th in 2010.
When healthy, he’s one of the leaders and better players on the defensive side. Considered by teammates as “the quarterback of the defense.”
6th Round
This was the hardest round to find much of anything for, so much that number one will send chills down your spine. The other two had more productive careers at their next stops.
1. Barry Richardson – T, 170th pick in 2008.
Starting Right Tackle for two consecutive seasons (2010-11) before moving to St. Louis and joining the Rams.
2. Jimmy Wilkerson – DE, 187th pick in 2003.
Wilkerson collected 1 sack in 5 years with the Chiefs. Had 11 sacks in 2 seasons with Tampa Bay.
3. Will Svitek – T, 184th pick in 2005.
Hardly cracked the lineup in KC; moved to Atlanta as a spot starter.
7th Round
1. Bobby Bell – LB, 56th pick in 1963
This Hall of Famer was the best player on a stacked defense that lead the Chiefs in the late Sixties. 9-Time Pro Bowler and 6-Time All-Pro.
2. Fred Arbanas – TE, 54th pick in 1961.
A key contributor to the Chiefs offense during the glory days of the Sixties. AFL All-Time Team member; also a 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time All-Pro.
3. Kevin Ross – CB, 173rd pick in 1984.
Perfected the bump-and-run. Paired with Albert Lewis, Deron Cherry and Lloyd Burruss to make one of the best secondary units in the Eighties.
4. Dave Szott – G, 180th pick in 1990.
Szott played 11 years for the Chiefs during Marty Ball’s heyday. Was an All-Pro during the 1997 season.
5. Jarrod Page – DB, 228th pick in 2006.
Highly productive Safety who started along side Pollard until the Pioli regime took over. The Oakland native haunted his hometown team, picking them off 4 times in their matchups.
Beyond
1. Jerrel Wilson – P, 11th Round, 88th pick in 1963.
“Thunderfoot” spent 15 years punting for the Chiefs and was named to 3 Pro Bowls.
2. Dave Hill – T, 24th Round, 192nd pick in 1963.
Started opposite Tyrer in both Super Bowls and spent 12 years with the organization.
3. Mike Garret – RB, 20th Round, 178th pick in 1966.
Former Heisman Trophy winner scored the touchdown on “65 Toss Power Trap.”