KC Chiefs: Ranking every first-round pick since 2000
By Matt Conner
4. Derrick Johnson
For many fans, the punishing linebacker known as DJ would come in at No. 3 and maybe even No. 2 on this list, and there are certainly good reasons for that. For reasons we’ll get to, we’ve got Johnson here at No. 4.
The Chiefs selected Johnson to become the heart of their defense at No. 15 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas and he was an instant starter in the middle. He looked like a solid player during his earliest years, but head coach Todd Haley clearly believed that there was more in the tank than what DJ was giving. That’s why it was a bit of a shock, both for the player and fans, when Johnson was benched for much of the 2009 season.
Looking back, DJ still says that angers him and was the lowest point of his career, but it’s honestly hard to argue with the results. Johnson became a Pro Bowl linebacker two years later for the first time (along with his first All-Pro nod) and the next four years would feature three more Pro Bowl honors for DJ. In the end, DJ would rank No. 1 overall on the franchise’s all time list for most tackles with 941 and his stat sheet shows off his well-rounded skill set in the middle of the field with 27.5 sacks, 14 interceptions, and 22 forced fumbles.