The Kansas City Chiefs have earned a good reputation for their selections in recent NFL Drafts. According to a recent list from the NFL, however, the fortune has carried over throughout the millennium.
Two former Chiefs defensive draft picks, Jared Allen and Justin Houston, rank in the Top five NFL draft values of the millennium at edge rusher.
“The cowboy hat-wearing Allen was an instant hit for the Chiefs after being a late fourth-rounder out of Idaho State — a school that hasn’t produced another Pro Bowler or All-Pro before or since Allen.” wrote NFL.com’s Eric Edholm, “He lassoed quarterbacks for 136 sacks in his career, also adding an impressive 32 forced fumbles, 19 recoveries, and six interceptions. Allen is also tied for the NFL’s all-time lead in safeties, with four, although they all came during his time in Minnesota.”
Selected in the 2004 NFL Draft, Allen spent four seasons with Kansas City before finishing his Pro Football Hall of Fame-bound career elsewhere.
“The massive-framed (Justin) Houston was coming off a 10-sack season at Georgia and tested very well at the combine but slipped to Round 3 of the 2011 draft,” wrote Edholm. “By the end of his rookie season, though, it was clear he should have gone much higher. Houston would rack up 112 sacks, 19 forced fumbles, five picks, and four safeties (tied for the most ever) — most of which came during his Kansas City days.”
Houston would also move on after his fantastic tenure in Kansas City, as he is remembered well for his devastating pass rush.