When a player is taken in the first round, it comes with a weight that other players simply do not carry in the NFL. Think of the way that some Kansas City Chiefs fans talk about running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire or defensive lineman Felix Anudike-Uzomah—it's a major sticking point if a player goes on Day 1 and the expectations can be overwhelming.
On the flip side, late-round flyers are just that—long shot players who come with little-to-no expectations. That's what always makes it such a compelling story when one of them ends up becoming more than a role player or special teams performer.
Just this spring, Chiefs fans loved seeing Nick Allegretti get a nice payday from the Washington Commanders as a former seventh-round choice who had earned it with a display of leadership and toughness during the Chiefs' most recent Super Bowl run.
Out of all of the hidden gems, however, which are the biggest in Chiefs history? We thought we'd peruse the archives to figure out the biggest draft steals ever for Kansas City.
Tyreek Hill, WR
Former Chiefs general manager John Dorsey had his issues in the front office, but no one can outdraft the man and the franchise's biggest draft steal came during his tenure as the team's GM back in the 2016 NFL Draft when he decided to grab another wide receiver just in case his first investment at the position didn't work out as planned.
The 2016 draft was a masterclass on the part of Dorsey and it's possible that he grabbed two Hall of Fame players that year—neither of whom was taken in the first round. First, he slid out of the first round entirely in order to grab some extra capital and he still came away with defensive tackle Chris Jones in the second round. Then in the fifth, he signed a draft card with the name of Tyreek Hill.
Hill, a Georgia native, took a winding road to the NFL through Garden City Community College to Oklahoma State to West Alabama thanks to a domestic violence charge while with the Cowboys. Character concerns knocked him down some draft boards (or removed him entirely) but the Chiefs' willingness to roll the dice brought them their greatest draft steal ever.
In six seasons with the team, Hill would climb the ranks to become the most dangerous offensive weapon in the game and a complete wide receiver. He made six Pro Bowls in six seasons in Kansas City and is the best wide receiver to ever wear a Chiefs uniform. If it wasn't for his top-of-the-market demands, he'd still be an All-Pro receiver with the Chiefs today instead of leading the Miami Dolphins passing attack.
Canton will come calling one day for Hill as well as his place in the Chiefs Ring of Honor. For that, he's the top draft steal in team history.