The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Apr. 7 a comprehensive look back at every third-round draft pick in the team’s history since the inception of the common draft in 1967. The review comes as the team prepares for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, where they currently hold several picks, including No. 74 overall in the third round.
This retrospective provides fans and analysts with context on how past selections have shaped the franchise and highlights notable players who have contributed significantly to the team’s success over nearly six decades.
According to the Chiefs, sixty out of their sixty-four third-round picks since 1967 have played for Kansas City. In last year’s draft, defensive end Ashton Gillotte (No. 66 overall) and cornerback Nohl Williams (No. 85 overall) were selected in this round; both appeared in all seventeen games during their rookie season.
Among standout selections is tight end Travis Kelce, chosen No. 63 overall in 2013, who has become Kansas City’s all-time leader in catches (1,080), receiving yards (13,002), and receiving touchdowns (82). Other prominent third-rounders include linebacker Justin Houston (2011), running back Jamaal Charles—the franchise’s leading rusher—(2008), two-time Pro Bowl punter Dustin Colquitt (2005), Hall of Fame guard Will Shields (1993), All-Pro defensive back Albert Lewis (1983), and linebacker Gary Spani—the team’s second all-time leading tackler—(1978).
Chiefs’ third-round picks have collectively earned forty-three Pro Bowl nominations, with Shields accounting for twelve—more than any other NFL third-rounder since 1967. Fourteen players drafted by Kansas City in this round went on to play at least one hundred games for the team; Colquitt leads with two hundred thirty-eight appearances followed by Shields with two hundred twenty-four.
As anticipation builds toward this year’s draft event, these historical insights underscore how crucial mid-round selections can be to building a lasting football legacy.
