Former Kansas City Chiefs whose playing days might be over

Nov 20, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass as Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) defends at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Rohman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass as Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) defends at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Rohman-USA TODAY Sports
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Dontari Poe
Dontari Poe

Dontari Poe

Dontari Poe, in my opinion, is the epitome of a good but not great first-round pick. The Chiefs took him with the 11th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. His last NFL snap came in October of 2020 with the Dallas Cowboys but was released in the middle of the season. According to Jerry Jones, he was released because of his lackluster performance and being overweight. In addition to the Cowboys, Poe also saw action for the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.

Poe was a consistent starter for the Chiefs over his five seasons with the team. He saw at least 700 defensive snaps every year from 2012 through 2016, including at least 800 from 2013-2016. He also made the Pro Bowl in both 2013 and 2014, including being named a second-team All-Pro the former year.

In my opinion, Poe was an above-average player who gave the team some solid seasons. He’ll most likely be remembered for his offensive snaps. He became the heaviest player in NFL history to score a touchdown in a 2015 game against the Chargers. He scored another touchdown against the Raiders in 2016 on a play widely known as “Hungry Pig Right“. Probably the most famous of all, he threw a touchdown pass to Demetrius Harris in the Chiefs’ 2016 Christmas Day blowout against the Denver Broncos.

Especially after his less than ideal departure from the Cowboys almost two years ago, I feel that we have seen Poe’s final game as an NFL player. He’s had a good career so far but I’m not certain that a team will sign a 340+ pound defensive tackle who is almost two years removed from his last NFL snap.

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