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Counting down the worst NFL draft classes in KC Chiefs history

By Kelly Thompson

Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach looks to pass in a 13-6 win over the Los Angeles Rams on August 10, 1974 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach looks to pass in a 13-6 win over the Los Angeles Rams on August 10, 1974 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 11: Joe Kapp #11 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass under pressure from Aaron Brown #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl IV on January 11, 1970 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Chiefs won the Super Bowl 23-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 11: Joe Kapp #11 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass under pressure from Aaron Brown #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl IV on January 11, 1970 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Chiefs won the Super Bowl 23-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1. 1970

Despite the futility of the aforementioned selections, one draft in Chiefs’ history stands out as being the worst in a sea of consecutive misses.

Just months after their Super Bowl IV Championship, the Kansas City Chiefs entered the 1970 NFL Draft with the pressure that only the defending champs can feel. And they failed to meet the expectations a fan base should have for their champions.

The Chiefs drafted 17 players in the 1970 selection meeting. Of those 17 players, eight actually made appearances in NFL games. One, yes only one, was a starting level player at any point in the league; and that person started for one season. For the Houston Oilers. In his third season in the NFL. That player was Kansas City’s first round draft pick, center Sid Smith. He played in Kansas City for three years before becoming a starter in Houston. We’re using the term ‘played’ pretty loosely here. Smith played in only one game for the Chiefs and was cut after his third season.

Combined, the other seven players drafted who appeared in NFL games managed to start just seven games for Kansas City. Linebacker Clyde Werner started in four games over five seasons in Kansas City. He was the longest tenured draft pick of the year for the Chiefs. Defensive back David Hadley lasted just two years in Kansas City, and he never started a game and recorded just one interception.

The Chiefs drafted offensive lineman Mike Oriad in the 5th round. He made it four seasons in Kansas City, but managed just one start in that time. Bob Hews never played for the Chiefs but did play for the Buffalo Bills in 1971—for two games. Those would be his only two NFL appearances. Receiver Clyde Glosson, likewise, played one year in Buffalo. He played in 11 games before he was out of the league.

Defensive back Fred Barry played in nine games for Pittsburgh and was done. Meanwhile 15th round selection defensive tackle Bob Liggett stuck with the team (and the league) for just the 1970 season. He played in seven games for the Chiefs and started one. None of the seven were in the NFL after 1976.

The Chiefs got more games out of this class than they did other classes on this list. But the lack of starting caliber players, lack of longevity, lack of any real substance or impact makes it the single worst draft class in Chiefs’ history. Perhaps general manager spent too long celebrating the Super Bowl IV Championship and forgot to prepare for the offseason.

Next. Ranking the best Chiefs draft classes of all time. dark

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