Best Kansas City Chiefs Draft Picks in History by Round

Bobby Bell #78 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

OLB-Bobby Bell, 7th round (56th overall), Minnesota—AFL teams passed on Bell at least six times before the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in 1963. All Bell did was have an NFL Hall-of-Fame career over the next 12 seasons.

Bell is easily the best 7th round pick in team history, since he’s probably the best all-around athlete in team history. Other players considered: Dave Szott 7th round 1990, Ryan Succup 7th round 2009, and Kevin Ross 2th round 1984.

Many consider Bell the best overall athlete in franchise history. Hall-of-Fame coach Hank Stram said that Bell had

"“as much talent as anyone I ever coached.”"

Bell was a 6-4 228lb. linebacker that could run with wide-receivers, play with his hand on the ground as a defensive end, tackle, rush the passer, and could throw the ball the length of the field. Some said that Bell could play any position on the team. Teammate and fellow Hall-of-Famer Buck Buchanan said about Bell,

"“This guy is the best all-around football player I ever saw.”"

Bell was so versatile, he actually started his college career as a quarterback before winning the Outland Trophy as the nation’s outstanding collegiate interior lineman in 1962.

Bobby Bell was also drafted in the 2nd round by the Minnesota Vikings (16th overall), but shocked the football world by signing with the AFL’s Chiefs. He started his Kansas City career as a defensive end, but Hank Stram moved him to linebacker after two seasons to exploit his amazing athleticism.

Bobby Bell was Lawrence Taylor before the New York Giant great “re-invented the outside linebacker position.

The fact is, Bobby Bell was Lawrence Taylor before the New York Giant great “re-invented” the outside linebacker position. Unfortunately, the sack was not an official statistic in Bobby Bell’s day, but the Chiefs estimate he recorded 40 of them in his career—even though he played strong-side, rather than weak side, linebacker.

He was a terrific open-field tackler, could cover well enough to record 26 interceptions, and returned 9 for touchdowns. Bell qualified for 9 pro-bowls and 7 all-pro teams. Bobby Bell retired after the 1974 season.

He might have been the greatest player in team history.