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Ranking the top 25 Kansas City Chiefs players this decade

By Farzin Vousoughian

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with tight end Travis Kelce #87 after scoring a second quarter rushing touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with tight end Travis Kelce #87 after scoring a second quarter rushing touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders is sacked and stripped by Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders is sacked and stripped by Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

7. OLB Justin Houston

Justin Houston had a knack for beating offensive tackles and getting to the quarterback. Houston had a big part in helping Kansas City’s defense improve and become one of the better pass-rushing defenses.

Houston logged 78.5 sacks in eight years with the Chiefs. His best season came in 2014 when he registered 22 sacks, falling one sack shy of the league record. Houston was one of two players to have 22 sacks in a season this decade. The other being former Chief Jared Allen, who got his 22 sacks in 2011 with Minnesota.

Although injuries prevented Houston from getting double-digit sacks again as a Chief, he was always one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. Houston benefited from having Romeo Crennel as a defensive coordinator to guide him in the first couple of years in his career. Houston also worked alongside Tamba Hali, being one of the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL for five seasons.

Houston’s 78.5 sacks and 14 forced fumbles place him in the top five in Chiefs history. He is one of 16 players in the history of the franchise to get a safety, doing so against Drew Brees in 2012. Houston made four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2012 to 2015 while earning a First Team All-Pro distinction in 2014.

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