KC Chiefs: 15 Best First Round Draft Picks of All-Time

Best First Round Picks by the Chiefs – Number 7: Derrick Johnson (Chiefs linebacker from 2005-2017)

The KC Chiefs held the 15th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, and Chiefs fans had no idea that their first rounder that year would end up being one of the best Chiefs ever. That’s what Derrick Johnson was though, as he spent 13 years with this franchise and always had a great attitude.

Drafted out of Texas, Johnson got right to work in Kansas City, starting all 16 games his rookie year and recording 79 tackles. He received the Mack Lee Hill Award that season for his efforts.

He made it to four Pro Bowls (2011-2013, 2015), was named First-Team All-Pro in 2011, and was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2015. Johnson has won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week Award four times, and he was also named the Pro Bowl Defensive MVP in 2013.

Johnson, like Hali, showed how much this team meant to him when he opted to stay in Kansas City, and signed a three-year deal in 2015. He had some hard hits through his final few seasons as a Chief, but Father Time caught up to DJ and the Chiefs released him after the 2017 season.

Next: Number 6