The Kansas City Chiefs have a rich history of pass rushers.
Former first-round NFL draft picks such as Derrick Thomas (1989), Neil Smith (1988), and Tamba Hali (2006) are probably among the first you think of. However, Kansas City has also found some great ones in the mid-rounds.
Eric Edholm of NFL.com named his top five draft values of the millennium at edge rusher, and two spots were occupied by former Chiefs players. Let’s take a look. . .
No. 4: Jared Allen
From Eric Edholm: “The primary reason Allen ranks fourth on this list — and not higher — is because he only spent four of his 12 seasons in Kansas City, with some of his finest seasons coming during six years with the Vikings. The Chiefs received draft picks from Minnesota in return that would turn into Branden Albert and Jamaal Charles — which wasn’t of equal value, necessarily, but those were respected, multi-year standouts.”
The Chiefs selected Allen in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, recording nine sacks and 10 tackles for loss. His best year in K.C. came in 2007 when he racked up 15.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 11 passes defensed.
It was tough to see Allen leave for Minnesota in his prime, but the Chiefs made good use of the draft picks they got for him in Albert and Charles. Allen ranks 12th all-time in sacks for K.C. with 43, and his 136 total career sacks would put him first in Chiefs history had he remained with the team. Allen will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame later this summer.
No. 5: Justin Houston
From Eric Edholm: “Interestingly, the Houston pick was a throw-in for the Chiefs moving down five slots in Round 1, in a trade that involved Phil Taylor going to the Browns and Jonathan Baldwin going to K.C. Both were notable busts who never fulfilled their potential, but picking Houston two rounds later would make the Chiefs massive winners of that deal.”
The Chiefs selected Houston in the third round (70th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He showed promise as a rotational player as a rookie, recording 5.5 sacks. Houston then went on to record three straight double-digit sack seasons, including a whopping 22 in 2014, which is tied for the third-most ever in a single season.
Unfortunately, Houston tore his ACL in 2015, and although he would have some productive seasons afterwards, he wasn’t quite the same caliber of player he was before the injury. Houston ranks fifth in Chiefs history with 78.5 career sacks. His 112 total career sacks would put him second behind Derrick Thomas in Chiefs franchise history.
