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Kansas City Chiefs have found many legends in draft’s second round

By Kelly Thompson

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 11: Willie Lanier #63 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings 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: Willie Lanier #63 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings 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) /
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Mike Phipps (15) is caught from behind by Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier (63) during the Browns 31-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 8, 1972 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Tim Culek/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Cleveland Browns quarterback Mike Phipps (15) is caught from behind by Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier (63) during the Browns 31-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 8, 1972 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Tim Culek/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

#1 – Willie Lanier, Linebacker

Four picks after selecting Jim Lynch in the ’67 draft, the Kansas City Chiefs filled their other linebacking spot next to (then) future Hall of Famer Bobby Bell, with the selection of Morgan State linebacker Willie Lanier with the 50th overall selection.

While Lynch was a foundational and legendary Chief, Willie Lanier would actually become the better of the two linebackers, ultimately being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

Lanier played for Kansas City for 11 years and was selected to eight consecutive Pro Bowls from 1968-1975. In ’68, ’71 and ’73, he was named a 1st Team All-Pro player.

Lanier’s statistics are shallow compared to what they may have been given the lack of some record keeping in the formative year’s of the Super Bowl era, but what we do know is that the man nicknamed ‘Contact’ was one of the hardest hitters of his time, and was an unstoppable force for the Chiefs. He recorded 27 interceptions and recovered 18 fumbles during his career in Kansas City.

When he retired after the 1977 season, many felt that Willie Lanier was the greatest of all of the Chiefs future Hall of Famers. While that debate rages on, a debate that does not exist is that he is the greatest second round pick in franchise history.

A LOOK BACK AT CHIEFS DRAFT HISTORY:

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