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

Best First Round Picks by the Chiefs – Number 2: Derrick Thomas (1989-1999)

Anyone who follows the Chiefs, young or old, likely knows the name Derrick Thomas. The guy is a Chiefs legend, and he will always be remembered by KC Chiefs fans.

Thomas was the Chiefs’ fourth overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft and continues to be one of the best Chiefs players of all time. In 11 seasons with Kansas City, Thomas had 605 tackles and 126 and a half sacks. He had a career high 20 sacks during his second season in the pros in 1990.

What made Thomas such a great player was his ability to get after the quarterback. His 20 sacks in 1990 was a team high until Justin Houston broke it during the 2014 season. Thomas is also remembered for a game against Seattle in which he sacked the Seahawks quarterback seven times, which remains an NFL record.

Derrick Thomas was a nine-time Pro Bowler (1989-1997) and won several awards during his time in the pros. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1989, UPI All-AFC Rookie of the Year in 1989, Walter Payton Man of the Year in 1993, and is apart of the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.

Sadly, Thomas was killed from injuries resulting from a car wreck in 2000. I remember being in the third grade when Thomas died and remember seeing everyone wearing their Derrick Thomas jerseys to school. It was a sad time, and still is sad to see someone gone so soon.

The Chiefs put Thomas into their Hall of Fame in 2001 and retired his jersey (58). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

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