Best draft picks by Round - Rounds 8 and Lower

[Rain Man]

Beginning in 1994, the NFL draft has had seven rounds, but prior to that year they had more rounds, varying from 8 rounds to 34 rounds at various points in Chiefs history.

Today we'll cover those players drafted by the Chiefs in Round 8 or lower. Here's my take on the best picks.

1. Dave Hill - 24th round, 1963. He never made a pro bowl, but he was with the team for 12 sold years at right tackle. At one point he went nine years without missing a start. That's a good return on a 24th round pick.

2. Jerrell Wilson - 11th round, 1963. Initially a running back, he could also punt a little. He played for 15 seasons as a Chiefs, notching three NFL pro bowls and being named to the all-time AFL team.

3. Curtis McClinton - 14th round, 1961. A running back for 8 seasons, he made three AFL pro bowls and was a threat both running and passing. He averaged 4.1 ypc over his career and caught an average of nearly 20 passes per season.

4. Todd McNair - 8th round, 1989. He played six seasons with the Chiefs and never sniffed a pro bowl, but he was one of the best third down backs in Chiefs history. He averaged 30 receptions per season as a pure third-down back, and he was a near lock to get the first. Rushing, he got few carries at about 20 per year, but averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Atop that, he was a dominant special teams cover guy.

5. Mike Garrett - 20th round, 1966. Okay, he's a ringer. He went late because this was the height of the AFL/NFL bidding wars. But he was a 20th round pick. He was only with the Chiefs for 4.5 seasons, but he made two pro bowls, one all-pro (AFL) team, scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl, and averaged 4.4 ypc.

6. Bobby Hunt - 11th round, 1962. He played with the team for six seasons, getting one pro bowl and one AFL all-pro nod. He recorded an impressive 37 interceptions in those six years.

7. Tom Condon - 10th round, 1974. He spent 11 seasons with the worst Chiefs teams this side of Herm Edwards. No pro bowls, but he helped make a pocket for (sigh) Blackledge.

8. Frank Jackson - 19th round, 1961. He played five seasons with the Chiefs, notching one pro bowl. He had two seasons of 50+ catches, which is very impressive for his era.

9. Irv Eatman - 8th round, 1983. Originally drafted by the Chiefs, he went to the USFL, where I guess he was Carl Peterson's first Chief. He then was picked up by the Chiefs when the USFL folded (thanks, Trump) and started at offensive tackle for five seasons.

10. Robert Holmes - 14th round, 1968. He only played 3.5 seasons as a Chief, but made one pro bowl and was a high-motor guy. I remember him best for one of the Chiefs' more unusual touchdowns. Otis Taylor caught a long pass and the defensive back caught him, but couldn't bring him down. Holmes was hustling downfield as the only guy chasing the play, and Otis tossed him the ball for a lateral touchdown.


Others receiving consideration include Mike Sensibaugh and Whitney Paul.