The Kansas City Chiefs have been recognized for their successful selections in recent NFL Drafts. According to a list from the NFL, this success extends throughout the millennium. Two former Chiefs defensive draft picks, Jared Allen and Justin Houston, are ranked among the top five NFL draft values of the millennium at edge rusher.
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm highlighted Jared Allen’s impact: “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.” He added that Allen achieved 136 sacks in his career, along with 32 forced fumbles, 19 recoveries, and six interceptions. Notably, Allen is tied for the NFL’s all-time lead in safeties with four, although these were during his time in Minnesota. Selected in the 2004 NFL Draft, Allen spent four seasons with Kansas City before concluding his career elsewhere.
Edholm also commented on Justin Houston: “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.” By the end of his rookie season, it was evident he should have been drafted higher. Houston accumulated 112 sacks, 19 forced fumbles, five picks, and four safeties—most during his time with Kansas City. After an impressive tenure with the Chiefs, Houston moved on but is remembered for his strong pass rush.
Jared Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025 during his first year of eligibility. The Kansas City Chiefs selected him with the 126th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft.
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