Best late round draft picks in Kansas City Chiefs history
1. Bobby Bell, Linebacker
In the same draft that the team selected Jerrel Wilson in the in the 11th round, they also selected Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Buck Buchanan first overall, and one of the biggest HOF snubs in team history, offensive lineman Ed Budde.
The Chiefs also selected a second future Pro Football Hall of Famer in linebacker Bobby Bell in the seventh round of the 1963 NFL Draft. He was also selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. It is the only draft in which the Chiefs selected two future Hall of Famers in the same year, and it ranks as the best draft class in team history.
The Minnesota University product was a bona fide stud for Kansas City. Bell made the Pro Bowl in nine consecutive seasons from 1964 to 1972, and was a 1st Team All-Pro selection in six consecutive years from 1965-1970. He had 26 interceptions in his 12-year NFL career (all with the Chiefs), which ranks him tenth all time in club history, but second among linebackers behind only fellow Hall of Famer Willie Lanier (who had 27).
Bell holds the NFL record for interception returns for a linebacker with six, and his 9 non-offensive touchdowns rank 22nd in NFL history and 2nd all time in Chiefs history (behind return man Dante Hall). He is a member of the AFL Hall of Fame’s All-1960’s team, Pro Football Reference’s All-1970’s team, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-1970’s team. Finally, he is considered one of the top 100 players in the history of the entire NFL.
Bobby Bell is one of the greatest draft picks in Chiefs history, regardless of round selected, and is by far the best late round selection in the team’s 61 draft history.