KC Chiefs: Ranking every first-round pick since 2000

9. Larry Johnson

Thinking back to the Chiefs offense at the time of the 2003 NFL Draft, it makes sense that Larry Johnson was the first-round pick for the Chiefs at No. 27 overall. Priest Holmes was the central figure around whom the entire offense revolved, and injury and contract issues made his future with the team uncertain. If the Chiefs wanted to keep things rolling with a powerful presence in the backfield, then they needed to grab Larry Johnson.

Of course, Holmes wasn’t done just yet, which meant Johnson had to sit on the bench. Imagine taking a first-round running back today only to see him get 20 carries his first year and 120 his second year.

However, in 2005, the narrative on the draft pick for Johnson changed considerably when he was handed the keys to the proverbial car. Johnson would eclipse 2,000 yards from scrimmage that season and put up 20 scores on the ground. He would add another 17 rushing touchdowns in 2006 and gained even more yards with 2,199. In that dominant two year stretch, Johnson would average 134 yards per game.

Unfortunately the productivity wouldn’t last much longer. The Chiefs rewarded Johnson after a holdout with a deal that made him the most expensive back in the game, yet injuries would keep him from ever returning to form. In fact, Johnson would last only 2.5 more seasons in K.C. before he was released, an exit from the team surrounded by suspension and drama.

Johnson ranks No. 2 on the team’s all time rushing touchdowns list at 55 and is third in yardage with 6,015. However, in terms of rushing yards, Johnson does have the two greatest seasons to date in team history.