Ranking the 16 greatest Chiefs players ever, from Tyreek Hill to Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs have had a long, proud history of winning but they’ve never been better than with Andy Reid calling the plays and with Patrick Mahomes under center. The Chiefs created a modern dynasty with three Super Bowl rings and five AFC championships from 2019-2024.

The Chiefs were good and sometimes great before the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes era, including a victory in Super Bowl 4 over the Vikings. Over 1,000 regular-season games, they are tied for fourth among NFL franchises all-time with a .553 winning percentage. A lot of elite standout performers contributed to that overall success.

The Sporting News ranks the 16 best players in Chiefs history, from Tyreek Hill to Mahomes.

Players were ranked based on a points system made up of nine categories. Points from a scale of 1-10 were assigned based on each player’s strength in a particular category and added up for a final score.

MORE: Complete list of Super Bowl MVP winners through the years

16. Tyreek Hill (2016-2021)

Accolades: 6 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Tyreek Hill was debated in relation to kicker Jan Stenerud and other past stars such as Curley Culp but ultimately made the cut ahead of Culp, too, because of his fast catalyst role in ushering in the big winning with Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones.

Place in Chiefs history: Hill was traded before he could collect more rings with Mahomes and has put up some massive seasons in Miami. His speedy legend has grown as a Dolphin, but it’s fondly remembered how feared he was as a Chief and making the biggest play for Mahomes and arguably the best in franchise history, “Jet Chip Wasp.”

MORE: Why did the Chiefs trade Tyreek Hill? 

15. Christian Okoye (1987-1993)

Accolades: 7 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, one-time first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL rushing leader

Why he made SN’s list: Christian Okoye was born in Nigeria and found his calling as a powerful ball-carrying fullback at a time when massive workhorse NFL power running was the rage of offenses. He put the Chiefs’ attack on the map and still lingers in the minds of opposing defenders as “The Nigerian Nightmare.”

Place in Chiefs history: Okoye remains beloved despite his short time with the Chiefs almost four decades ago for being their notable offensive star in the Marty Schottenheimer era and is a tribute to the late coach’s style of winning teams.

MORE: Complete list of Super Bowl MVP winners through the years

14. Priest Holmes (2001-2007)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time NFL rushing TDs leader, one-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, one-time NFL rushing yardage leader, one-time NFL scoring leader.

Why he made SN’s list: Priest Holmes had some spectacular seasons in Kansas City as the offense borrowed a lot from coach Dick Vermeil’s time with the Rams having prolific producer Marshall Faulk. The former Ravens Super Bowl champion backup to Jamal Lewis was a steal for his top-level running.

Place in Chiefs history: Holmes had some huge seasons as a supernova back before succumbing to injuries and passing the torch for a short time to Larry Johnson. Before the Reid era, he was the centerpiece of the Chiefs doing a different kind of offensive-minded winning.

MORE: Are any Chiefs among the oldest players drafted in the NFL?

13. Chris Jones (2016-active)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, 3-time second-team All-Pro, 3-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Chris Jones is right up there with the core of the Super Bowl-winning run with Mahomes and Travis Kelce, having joined them in earning all three rings. He might be a bit overshadowed by the multiple defensive legends of the franchise’s past, but he’s been a feared, consistent interior pass rusher to ensure his spot on the list as an almost certain future Hall of Famer.

Place in Chiefs history: Jones may be seen as the third of the triplets with Mahones and Kelce, but there was a reason they kept him as the integral linchpin up front at defensve tackle, while committing to constant youthful infusion elsewhere. 

MORE: Why does Chris Jones cry? The reason Chiefs star gets emotional before, after games

12. Jamaal Charles (2008-2016)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL rushing TD leader, career highest NFL yards per carry (5.4)

Why he made SN’s list: Jamaal Charles is the Chiefs’ all-time leading rusher with 7,260 yards to go along with his 43 rushing TDs. He was a dynamic and explosive runner in his prime and was the first key back to rev up the Reid era of consistent offensive team prowess.

Place in Chiefs history: Charles was a special player, and for a team with a history of top backs, he’s the easy choice to edge past a crowd behind him.

MORE: Jamaal Charles gives touching speech about his disability at Special Olympics

11. Emmitt Thomas (1966-1978)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, AFL champion, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Emmitt Thomas is the franchise lader in interceptions with his work as a Hall of Fame cornerback. He makes the cut among four other Chiefs core defensive players from his era.

Place in Chiefs history: Thomas received all the highest honors from Kansas City leadership and found his way to a long career as a coordinator and position coach in the NFL. He will go down as one of the smartest, most productive Chiefs of all time.

MORE: Most Super Bowl wins in history by player

10. Johnny Robinson (1960-1971)

Accolades: 12 seasons, Pro Bowl, 6-time AFL All-Star, one-time first-team All-Pro, five-time first-team All-AFL, Super Bowl champion, AFL champion, one-time NFL interceptions leader, one-time AFL interceptions leader, 57 career interceptions

Why he made SN’s list: Johnny Robinson, like Len Dawson, was with the Chiefs when they were the Dallas Texans, making the city transition in recent expansion. He was one of the best coverage safety ballhawks of his day as an exceptional, instinctive athlete at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds.

Place in Chiefs history: Robinson goes down as the best defensive back the franchise has ever had and as a key figure in making the move from Dallas to Kanas City being rewarded with multiple championships.

MORE: Are any Chiefs among the 10 most shocking NFL Draft slides of all time?

9. Willie Lanier (1967-1977)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 8-time all-Pro, 2-time AFL All-Star, 2-time all-AFL, NFL Man of the Year, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Willie Lanier was the ultimate clean-up man as the Chiefs’ Hall of Fame middle linebacker to complement what Bell did in coverage and Buchanan did on the interior front to eat up blockers. With his position, he is one of the best playmaking leaders the team has ever had.

Place in Chiefs history: Lanier is often overlooked in the Chiefs’ early defensive heyday because of alliterative contemporaries Bobby Bell and Buck Buchanan, but he fits nicely tight in between them, much like his alignment on the field.

MORE: Most draft picks by a school in a single year

8. Buck Buchanan (1963-1975)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, 6-time AFL All-Star, 6-time All-AFL, AFL champion, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Buck Buchanan, at 6-foot-7 and 287 pounds, was a menace to running backs and quarterbacks with his large, scary and relentless frame. He was very quick and disruptive for his size and was as essential to the Chiefs’ elite former defense as Bell and Lanier.

Place in Chiefs history: Buchanan will be forever remembered among the first core of defensive success and was classy throughout his battle with lung cancer, during which he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton.

MORE: How many Super Bowls have the Chiefs won?

7. Bobby Bell (1963-1974)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 6-time AFL All-Star, 3 Pro Bowls, 5-time first-team All-AFL, one-time NFL All-Pro, one-time AFL Defensive Player of the Year, FL champion, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Bobby Bell was a devastating and feared linebacker and defensive end throughout his Hall of Fame career. At 6-foot-4 and 228 pounds, he was blessed with elite speed and athleticism ahead of his time to help him become a rangy asset in coverage. He was smart with his diagnosis and making clutch plays. Bell could have thrived with his fleet feet and quick reaction in any era.

Place in Chiefs history: Thomas was the most disruptive pass-rusher ever for the Chiefs, but Bell is second-best defensively all-time in Kansas City for his overall versatile dominance on the second level. He gets the worthy nod at this spot over ace teammates Willie Lanier and Buck Buchanan.

MORE: Most playoff wins by coach — where Andy Reid ranks among the all-time greats

6. Will Shields (1993-2006)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 12 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

Why he made SN’s list: Will Shields, a third-round draft pick in 1993 after a dominant career blocking for Nebraska’s then-elite rushing attack, was a steal, becoming a consistent fast-track Hall of Famer. At 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, he was as nimble as he was powerful, paving the way for runners such as Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson to have big seasons.

Place in Chiefs history: Shields remains the all-around best offensive lineman the Chiefs have ever had, a tradition now carried on by Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey on the interior. 

MORE: What is the Chiefs mascot? A history of KC Wolf’s pioneering place in the NFL

5. Len Dawson (1962-1975)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 6-time AFL All-Star, one-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team all-AFL, one-time AFL MVP, three-time AFL champion, one-time AFL championship MVP, Super Bowl 4 champion and MVP, one-time NFL completions leader, NFL Man of the Year

Why he made SN’s list: Len Dawson was an original superstar for the franchise from its inception as the Dallas Texans through its early transition to Kansas City. The Hall of Fame QB was an efficient and prolific downfield passer as the game changed more to favor a gritty, accurate, strong arm in the pocket. Dawson was the ultimate executor of coach Hank Stram’s offense.

Place in Chiefs history: Long before there was Mahomes, there was Dawson leading to the Chiefs big things in the wake of the AFL-NFL merger. He was a calm, cool customer who defined the era and put Kansas City on the board with its first Super Bowl glory.

MORE: What is the ‘choir huddle’? How Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs paid tribute to Len Dawson

4. Derrick Thomas (1989-1999)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 9 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, one-time NFL sack leader, NFL Man of the Year, 126.5 career sacks

Why he made SN’s list: Derrick Thomas, after starring for a top defense at Alabama, had an immediate impact as the No. 4 overall draft pick in 1989. He was known most for being a terrorizing pass rush and a strong finisher to rack up sacks, including an NFL record seven in a single game.

Place in Chiefs history: Sadly, Thomas died while still active near the end of his Chiefs career, succumbing from injuries related to a car accident that left him paraplegic early in the 2000 offseason. Losing him so early and seeing him still as that youthful premier pass rusher has given him a forever special place in the heart of Chiefs’ fans. Those fans also will never forget he was the top overall defender in franchise history.

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 3. Tony Gonzalez (1997-2008)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls, 6-time first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL receptions leader

Why he made SN’s list: Before there was Kelce challenging for the throne of GOAT receiving tight end, Tony Gonzalez was setting a new modern standard for volume receiving and execution at the position. Gonzalez, a former college basketball player, used his athleticism, reliable hands and route running as the ultimate hybrid target for multiple QBs. He also was durable and reliable, playing at a high level through his final five seasons with the Falcons.

Place in Chiefs history: Kelce over Gonzalez should be debated, but Kelce wins, because of the likelihood he ends his career with Kansas City and having all the playoff and Super Bowl accolades that Gonzalez didn’t get to experience. Gonzalez, however, was the best player in franchise history before the core of the present.

MORE: Tony Gonzalez and other sports stars who played in March Madness

 2. Travis Kelce (2013-active)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls, 4-time first-team All-Pro, 3-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Travis Kelce is the modern exemplar receiving tight end, taking the reins from Rob Gronkowski and raising the bar with his durability and clutch playoff work, working toward matching the four Super Bowl rings. Kelce has worked hard to become a prolific, consistent receiver, taking advantage of his great connection with Andy Reid’s offensive scheme and Mahomes’ passing.

Place in Chiefs history: Kelce and Mahomes have transformed the narrative of the franchise from frequent but frustrated contenders to dynastic dominance, replacing Gronkowski, Brady and the Patriots as the league’s most envied team. Kelce’s crossover into celebrity pop culture has further stamped his beloved legacy.

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1. Patrick Mahomes (2017-active)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 2-time NFL MVP, 3-time Super Bowl champion and MVP, one-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, one-time NFL passing yardage leader

Why he made SN’s list: Patrick Mahomes has needed less than a decade with his racking up big-time numbers and championships to ascend to the top of all Chiefs players. He has been terrific since his first full-time starting season in 2018. He’s built a quick case to challenge now retired rival Tom Brady for GOAT quarterback. 

Place in Chiefs history: Mahomes has been the chosen one to end all past disappointments and flip them into a modern dynasty, giving Kansas City a chance to win the Super Bowl in every healthy season. He also is entrenched in the community with his ownership interests and early long-term commitment to the franchise.

MORE: Where Tom Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes GOAT debate stands after Super Bowl 59