Kansas City Chiefs all-time best NFL Draft picks by round
By Jacob Milham
Round 4: Wide receiver Otis Taylor
One of the oldest picks on this list, wide receiver Otis Taylor, is the epitome of an NFL draft rags-to-riches story. Coming out of Prairie View A&M, both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chiefs drafted Taylor in their respective drafts. An escape through a hotel back door saw Taylor’s journey begin unconventionally but end remarkably.
Taylor’s transition to the professional ranks was seamless. He quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the football field. Standing at 6’3″ and possessing a unique blend of size, speed, and agility, Taylor became a favorite target for Chiefs quarterbacks, most notably Len Dawson. Taylor went on to lead the Chiefs in receiving yards seven times in his ten-year career. He earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in both 1971 and 1972. Taylor ranks sixth on the Chiefs’ all-time list in receptions, third in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and 100-yard games.
His most notable moment in a Chiefs uniform came when the team needed him the most. In Super Bowl IV, the Chiefs held a 16-7 lead over the Vikings. The underdog Chiefs needed to capitalize on every mistake, and Taylor made them pay for a missed tackle from cornerback Earsell Mackbee. Taylor shed his tackle and took a short pass 46 yards to the end zone, proving to be the final difference-maker in a 23-7 Chiefs victory over the heavily favored Vikings. The win marked the first Super Bowl victory for the Chiefs franchise, and Taylor was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for his clutch performance.
Taylor’s journey from an unheralded draft prospect to a Super Bowl MVP stands as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a testament to the importance of hard work, perseverance, and seizing opportunities. His impact on the Chiefs’ success will forever be remembered and celebrated.
Honorable Mention: LB Donnie Edwards, DE Jared Allen, C Jack Rudnay