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

Best First Round Picks by the Chiefs – Number 1: Tony Gonzalez (1997-2008)

The best Kansas City Chiefs first-round pick of all-time goes to none other than Tony Gonzalez. While Derrick Thomas could have easily been placed here, Gonzalez is the best tight end to ever play the game, which is why he gets the top spot.

The Chiefs took Gonzalez with the 13th overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft and he went on to spend 12 years as a member of the KC Chiefs.

Not only was Tony Gonzalez incredible on the field, but he was a class act off the field as well, and remains as one of the most popular Chiefs to this day.

In those 12 years, Gonzalez had 916 receptions for 10,940 yards and 73 touchdowns. Gonzalez currently holds the touchdown reception record by tight ends and has the most receptions ever by a tight end. He also is the all-time leader for tight ends in reception yards.

Gonzalez made it to ten Pro Bowls with the Chiefs (1999-2008) and is apart of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. He is fifth all-time in career receiving yards, second all-time in career receptions, and sixth all-time in career receiving touchdowns.

Not only was Tony Gonzalez incredible on the field, but he was a class act off the field as well, and remains as one of the most popular Chiefs to this day. It was painful when Gonzalez wanted to be traded, but as I’ve gotten older, I understand the decision.

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At the time, I was angry that he wanted out of the city that drafted him, but the Chiefs went 2-14 in 2008. They weren’t going to the Super Bowl or even the playoffs any time soon, and Tony deserved to play for a winning team and have the chance to play in the Super Bowl.

Unfortunately, Gonzalez never made it to the Super Bowl, but he did win a playoff game in the 2012 season while a member of the Atlanta Falcons. He retired after the 2013 season.

Gonzalez has only been out of the league for two years, but he will definitely make it into both the Chiefs Hall of Fame and into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The number 88 will be retired by the KC Chiefs and his name will be etched into the Chiefs Ring of Honor. That day will be a special one for all Chiefs fans, both young and old.

Tony Gonzalez will always be a Kansas City Chiefs legend and he remains the team’s best first-round pick ever.

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