Ranking the top 5 Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers of all time

4. Chris Burford

"“Every pass route Chris ran was a perfect pass route, You could throw the ball and know two things – Chris would be in perfect position, and if it was anywhere near him, he’d catch it.” – Len Dawson"

Chris Burford was a college football All-American at Stanford University, and he led the team and the NCAA in receptions in his final collegiate season with 61. The Stanford captain drew the interest of the newly minted American Football League and its Dallas Texans, who selected him in the first round of the inaugural AFL Draft of 1960. He was the first player ever signed to the franchise to the tune of a $12,000 salary and $2,000 bonus.

Burford had a decorated career for the Dallas Texans and eventually the Kansas City Chiefs. Playing from 1960 to 1967, he was the team’s leading receiver in all of his first four seasons. He even led the league in receiving touchdowns and set a franchise mark with 12 in 1962, a mark that stood for nearly half a century.

His best overall season for receiving came in 1963 when he amassed 824 yards in 14 games, or a 942 yard pace over 16 games, and nine touchdowns. He was a one-time AFL All Star, the equivalent of a one-time First Team All Pro, and a two-time AFL champion.

Burford was a model of consistency for the Texans and Chiefs offenses, and he was the first wide receiver to be inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1975. Though he never surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in a season, he still maintains the eighth highest receiving yards all-time in Chiefs history and is third all-time in franchise history for receiving touchdowns.

Truthfully, had he not played second fiddle to another player on this list it’s likely he’s a few spots higher.