The Best Chiefs Picks … Weekend Cup O’Chiefs
On Friday the NFL will announce a contest in honor of the 75th NFL Draft that will be held in April.
They are going to ask fans to vote on the 75 best draft choices in league history. Fans are asked to go to NFL.com where they will find a list of 320 players. From that group, they are asked to select 75 choices as the best of all time. The top 10 choices will be announced on April 22nd during the first round of the 2010 Draft.
Voting begins on March 12th and will run through April 18th.
We know a good idea when we hear one, so here’s a chance for Chiefs fans to pick the best draft choices in their favorite team’s history. We aren’t going to ask for 75; that might be hard to fill out that field!
No, I’m interested in the top 10 Chiefs draft choices of all time. There’s no other qualification(s) for the selections, just the 10 players that in your mind were the best draft selections by the Hunt Family franchise beginning in 1960 and running through 2009.
Rank them in order, one through 10, with No. 1 being the best draft choice in team history.
Attach your list of 10 to the comments on this post. Voting remains open until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, March 20th.
I look forward to seeing your selections and for your reading pleasure, here’s my top 10 Texans-Chiefs draft picks of all time:
1. 1963/7th round/BOBBY BELL – MINNESOTA (above)
He was the first player in franchise history to reach the Hall of Fame, after a 12-year career that was remarkable for Bell’s overall contributions. Not only was he a defensive standout, but he played on all the special teams, including serving as the team’s snapper for kicks and punts. Playing at the University of Minnesota, Bell was thought to be locked up by the Vikings that were finishing up their second season of play when the 1963 AFL Draft was held. He was the 16th player selected in the NFL Draft that year, taken in the second round. The Texans – the AFL Draft was held in December ‘62 – made him the 56th selection. When Lamar Hunt flew to Minneapolis to meet with him personally, and offered more money, Bobby Bell agreed to wear red and gold.
2. 1967/2nd round/WILLIE LANIER – MORGAN STATE (right)
The ‘67 Draft was the first where the AFL and NFL teams joined together to make their selections. By the time they were done, they had selected 445 players in 17 rounds. The first selection was DT Bubba Smith, who was drafted by the Baltimore Colts. Little did the Colts know that close by at Morgan State College was one of the best defensive players to come out of that draft: Lanier. The Chiefs grabbed him with the 50th pick, a second-round selection. Lanier became the starting middle linebacker in his second season and held down the middle of that outstanding Kansas City defense through 11 seasons of play. He was named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team and joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame three years after Bell.
3. 1963/1st round/BUCK BUCHANAN – GRAMBLING
One can only imagine what kind of attention Buchanan would generate today as a 6-7, 275-pound defensive lineman who could run the 100-yard dash in 10.2 seconds. Even in the 1963 AFL Draft, without all the attention that goes with the draft today, he was the first player selected. That was thanks to the only trade Lamar Hunt made as owner of the franchise; in September of 1962, he traded QB Cotton Davidson to the Raiders for Oakland’s first-round choice. That pick turned out to be the very first one in the league draft that season. Like Bell who was drafted behind him, Buchanan was actually selected by the Texans, as the franchise was still months away from announcing a move to Kansas City. Buchanan’s 13-year career led to a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
4. 1965/4th round/OTIS TAYLOR – PRAIRIE VIEW A&M (left)
It was the height of the draft wars between the AFL and NFL in the last month of 1964. The Chiefs man with connections in the black colleges was Lloyd Wells and he had connections to a young man from Houston named Otis Taylor. The assignment for Wells was to keep his eye on Taylor and not allow him to spend time with NFL officials. Several days before the AFL Draft, Wells called at Taylor’s home and was told he was gone. Wells eventually tracked him down to Dallas, where Taylor and a teammate from Prairie View Seth Cartwright were in a hotel room, being guarded by NFL babysitters. Saying he was a magazine reporter, Wells was able to get into Taylor’s room to speak with him. Hours later, Taylor and Cartwright went out the bathroom window and Wells took them to the airport and flew them to Kansas City. The extra effort proved worthwhile as Taylor became the signature wide receiver in team history.
5. 1993/3rd round/WILL SHIELDS – NEBRASKA
At the time, Chiefs offensive line coach Alex Gibbs was not that impressed with this Shields prospect out of Nebraska. Gibbs was not sold on the ability of blockers from the Cornhuskers to provide pass protection. The Chiefs went ahead and drafted Shields anyway, and an injury pushed him into the starting lineup in his second season and he stayed there for 14 seasons, playing in 224 games with 223 starts, never missing a kickoff because of injury. Shields made 12 Pro Bowls and the NFL’s team of the 2000s. In that ‘93 Draft, he was the Chiefs first selection, as they traded a first-round choice to San Francisco for Joe Montana and used a second-round pick in a ‘92 Supplemental Draft to select DE Darren Mickell. As the 74th player selected, Shields may have been the best value choice in Chiefs draft history.
6. 1989/1st round/DERRICK THOMAS – ALABAMA (right)
The fourth player selected in the ‘89 NFL Draft, Thomas went on to become the best pass rusher of his era and earned admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Most would say the fourth name taken off the draft board should be a Hall of Famer. However, history shows us there’s no guarantee because a player is one of the first names mentioned that means he’s going to be a superior player. The player taken just ahead of D.T. was RB Barry Sanders – a Hall of Famer. The player taken two spots ahead of Thomas was OT Tony Mandarich – a hall of fame bust. The man from Alabama was anything but a bust during his 11 career that produced nine Pro Bowl seasons and 126.5 career sacks.
7. 1961/3rd round/JIM TYRER – OHIO STATE
After competing with the NFL for talent in 1960 when several players signed contracts with both teams, the league owners decided to have a secret draft to fill out the first two rounds. They did this on the phone and had things set up for their 1961 Draft until AFL Commissioner Joe Foss found out and slapped down the secret draft. When they went back to actually make the picks, the Texans ripped off three choices that led the league: LB E.J. Holub, DT Bob Lilly and OT Jim Tyrer. In 13 seasons, Tyrer was an all-star nine times and was selected to the All-Time AFL team. He played in 180 consecutive games.
8. 1997/1st round/TONY GONAZALEZ – CALIFORNIA
The Chiefs moved from No. 18 in the first round to No. 13, making a deal with Houston that allowed them to secure Gonzalez and enjoy his skills for the next 12 years. He became the franchise’s all-time receiving leader and the greatest tight end receiver in pro football history. When it comes to trades and draft day deals to move up or down in the selection order, moving up five spots to get Gonzalez ranks as one of the best decisions in franchise history.
9. 1963/1st round/ED BUDDE – MICHIGAN STATE (right)
Another pick from that all-time franchise best draft in ‘63, Budde was selected by the Texans in their own spot in the last pick of the first round. The competing NFL thought they had a chance to get him as well; Philadelphia selected him with the fourth pick of the first round in the ‘63 NFL Draft. Budde would go on to play 14 seasons with the Chiefs, appearing in seven all-star games along with earning a spot on the all-time AFL team. He played in 177 games, almost all of those at left guard, including both Super Bowls I and IV.
10. 1961/5th round/JERRY MAYS – SMU
There are a host of draft choices who could have made the final spot on this list: LB E.J. Holub, RB Mike Garrett, CB Albert Lewis, RB Ed Podolak, TE Fred Arbanas, RB Joe Delaney and others. But I’ve given the nod to Mays, grabbed in the fifth round of the ‘61 AFL Draft. That year the Texans grabbed the two best defensive linemen in the Dallas-Fort Worth area: TCU’s Bob Lilly and Mays out of Lamar Hunt’s alma mater at Southern Methodist. Mays played 10 seasons and he was named to the all-time AFL team, along with six AFL all-star games. He began his career as a defensive tackle, but moved to end in his rookie season and ended up playing left end on three AFL championship teams.
RIP MERLIN OLSEN
One of the greatest defensive players in pro football history passed away on Thursday. Merlin Olsen died after a year-long bout with cancer in a California hospital. He was 69 years old.
Olsen was part of the Fearsome Foursome (left), one of the great nicknames in pro football history. He was joined along the Los Angeles Rams defensive line by fellow defensive tackle Rosey Grier and defensive ends Deacon Jones and Lamar Lundy. Olsen was 275 pounds and never lifted a weight. He played 15 seasons with the Rams, making 14 Pro Bowls and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
Television may have become more famous as an actor than a football player, as he appeared in a pair of TV series, Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy, where he played the lead role. Olsen also worked as a color commentator on NBC-TV broadcasts of NFL games for 13 years and then two years at CBS.
He had two brothers who also played pro football, including his youngest brother Orrin who spent 14 games with the Chiefs in 1976.
DAY NO. 7-FREE AGENCY UPDATE
The first week of free agency wrapped up quietly on Thursday without much action. It was a day where re-signings dominated the day:
- BEARS – RFA S Josh Bullocks signed his tender offer.
- BENGALS – re-signed DT Tank Johnson to a 4-year deal.
- BRONCOS – re-signed DE Le Kevin Smith; released LB Andra Davis and DT J’Vonne Parker.
- CARDINALS – signed G Rex Hadnot (Browns) to a 3-year $9 million contract; re-signed OT Jeremy Bridges to a 3-year contract.
- EAGLES – signed WR Chad Hall.
- JETS – signed S Brodney Pool (Browns).
- PANTHERS – RFA QB Matt Moore signed his tender offer of $3.043 million.
- RAIDERS – released DT Gerard Warren.
- SAINTS – re-signed LS Jason Kyle.
#1 Derrick Thomas #2Tony Gonzalaz #3Will Shields #4Buck Buchanan #5Otis Taylor #6Bobby Bell #7Willie Lanier #8Ed Budde #9Jim Tyrer #10 Jerry Mays and just to see if you are reading how about a #11 Todd Blackledge (only kidding)
#1 Bobby Bell, #2 Tony Gonzalez, #3 Willie Lanier, #4 Derrick Thomas, #5 Buck Buchanan, #6 John Alt, #7 Will Shields, #8 Gary Spani, #9 Tim Grunhard, #10 Otis Taylor
Bobby Bell, the best, head and shoulders above anyone else. See if you can find any old film on Bell, a monster could play in space, did it all and deep snapped…..After that many fine players, take your pick. Special place for Lanier, Taylor, and Dawson. Almost need best by position. Looking back my goodness how far the Chiefs fell, past sad.
el cid:
Interesting that you would include Lake Dawson on your list of draftee’s. OK player but never thought of him as great. What was it about his career that stands out to you?
#1 Bobby Bell – self-explanatory; #2 Willie Lanier (2nd round pick); #3 Will Shields – 3rd rounder was the bedrock of the O-Line for some pretty good offensive teams; #4 Otis Taylor – 4th rounder excited Chiefs fans for years!; #5 Buck Buchanan – HOF’er for this team – was also the #1 overall pick in the draft – played like it. #6 Derrick Thomas – Most recent HOF’er for KC – 4th overall selection of entire ‘89 draft – didn’t do bad for a guy from University of Alabama ; #7 Jared Allen – 4th rounder didn’t turn out all that bad did he… #8 Tony Gonzalez – #13 overall pick in 1st round – might find his way into the HOF; #9 Jerrel Wilson – when you draft a guy out of Southern Miss in the 11th Round and he ends up possibly the best punter in the history of your team, that’s not a bad value. #10 – Albert Lewis – 3rd round selection – was a high-impact player for his team
Sorry DonW, senior moment.
Ditto Bob’s choices….wouldn’t change that list
Emmitt Thomas gets my honorable mention since he made the HOF as an undrafted free agent.
el cid: It happens. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. It isn’t often you slip like that. I have to agree with your last sentence however, it’s sad (or beyond) to see how far the Chief’s have fallen.
Back to the discussion:
I’ll agree with Bob up to #10. My #10: Neil Smith. 1st pick 1988. Teamed with DT and gave the Chiefs a great pass rush tandem.
Have to agree with SG’s honorable mention of Emmitt Thomas. What a career, undrafted FA to HOF. Might be fodder for a later discussion – best undrafted FA signings.
Lots of great names from the past mentioned…all good/great picks, for sure. Too much strain on my brain on a Friday to try to “rank” them.
I will say this…it’s sad to see that most of the really good picks are from the distant past. But, I guess that speaks to where our team is right now…huh? Here’s to hoping we get a “great” pick or two this year, that we’ll be talking about years down the road.
Also, I hope Pioli has put in a call to Andra Davis. We could use him.
Great list. Would agree with comments about Jared Allen and Jerrel Wilson, too.
My top 10 (oops 12) …
1) 1967/2nd Rnd Willie Lanier
2) 1965/4th Rnd Otis Taylor
3) 1993/3rd Rnd Will Shields
4) 1997/1st Rnd Tony Gonzalez
5) 1963/7th Rnd Bobby Bell
6) 1989/1st Rnd Derrick Thomas
7) 1963/1st Rnd Buck Buchanan
1963/1st Rnd/Ed Budde
9) 1961/3rd Rnd Jim Tyrer
10) 1983/3rd Rnd Albert Lewis
11) 1988/1st Rnd Neil Smith
12) 2004/4th Rnd Jared Allen
13) Just because I loved the guy …
1987/Christian Okoye
Ryan Succop is starting to look like he may be on a list like this someday. Mr Irrelevant? Fooey!
For some of us, we might want to consider Jan Stenerud, 1966/3rd Round.
Just heard Chiefs signed Casey Weigman to a one year contract and LJ went to Wash for 3 yrs. Lilja due in for a visit first of next week.
Had hoped for college Center but guess Weigman would do for one more year.
I read that Lilga didn’t pass his physical with the Colts. I don’t think that should necessarily keep us from signing him. I didn’t hear what the injury was. Also, the Chiefs apparently told him that he they are not not going to pay top dollar. I don’t know if that has to do with the injury or their evaluation.
“Just heard Chiefs signed Casey Weigman…”
This might be one of the most well-documented “better late than never” righting of the ship moves I’ve seen. Thank you very much CP/Herm for allowing our rivals to have Pro Bowl season(s) from this guy.
Apparently Mr. Lilja and Mr. Fraley both will be in KC on Monday. Mr. Pioli appears to be looking into answering that question “Where’s the beef!” In the same manner that he gets grief if he makes what we perceive to be questionable decisions, he also gets a lot of credit for taking action to try to upgrade where we need it.
1) Willie Lanier – 2
2) Bobby Bell – 7
3) Derrick Thomas – 1
4) Buck Buchanon – 1
5) Gale Sayers – 1
6) Will Shields – 3
7) Jerry Mays – 5
Tony Gonzalez – 1
9) Otis Taylor – 4
10) Fred Arbanas – 7
A debate can be nade for 2-10. But the best draft pick has to be the man who is the best at his position…ever. Tony G is our best pick becase he will go into the hall as the BEST ever to play the game at his positio with all the meaningful records.
Bob’s list is great.
I would move DT up to No. 1 because of his effect on the franchise. We had so many great HOF players in the 60’s-early 70’s. But DT was THE one great HOF player we had in the 90’s, when he died we lost our identity and have been searching for it for 10 years.
Honorable mention pick of mine would be Dave Szott in the 7th, I think.
Top 3 worst picks? Blackledge; Jowsiak(sp); tie between every Def. Lineman we picked in the 2000’s.
All the names here could be shuffled around, and you’d come up each time, with a great top 10.
I just wished to add, that if you’re going to include Emmit Thomas, you need to put Deron Cherry on the list as well. He put up monster stats, for being an undrafted FA, and initially signed as a punter!
I would also say that Okoye would be top 10, hands down, not necessarily due to his stats. He brought this team out of the cellars, and raised the fans’ confidence to levels unseen before.