Ranking the Chiefs' 10 Best Draft Picks of the Last Decade

While it's fun to theorize and mock who the Chiefs will draft at the end of the month, it's equally as entertaining to look back at past drafts. After all, Kansas City's budding dynasty wouldn't have been possible without some great draft decisions on both sides of the ball throughout the last decade.

Here's a look at the rankings for the Chiefs' 10 best draft picks of the last decade.

Ranking the Chiefs' 10 Best Draft Picks of Last Decade

10. RB Isiah Pacheco — 2022 Round 7, Pick 251

Due to the volatility at the position, it can be best for NFL teams to wait until later in the draft to add a running back. That's exactly what the Chiefs did when they drafted Isiah Pacheco 251st overall in 2022 and the decision paid off.

Although he's yet to have an elite performance, Pacheco is quickly becoming one of the league's top young rushers. The ex-Rutgers RB has racked up 1,765 rushing yards on 375 carries and 374 receiving yards on 57 receptions with a total of 14 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He's also been a key part of the Chiefs' back-to-back Super Bowl victories, amassing 635 scrimmage yards with four TDs in just seven postseason outings.

Pacheco might never reach the heights of the likes of Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry, but that's more than okay. The 25-year-old rusher is more than capable of being an RB1, proven by his three 100-yard performances during the 2023 regular season on top of his scoring a TD in three of Kansas City's four postseason games.

As long as Pacheco maintains his solid play and remains healthy, he'll continue to be seen as one of the Chiefs' best draft picks of the last decade for years to come.

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9. OG Trey Smith — 2021 Round 6, Pick 226

He might not have the individual accolades to show it, but Trey Smith has quietly become one of the league's better offensive guards over the last three seasons.

Selected with the No. 226 pick in 2021, Smith has been crucial to the Chiefs having one of the NFL's best offensive lines. The former Tennessee blocker is coming off an impressive 2023 season that saw him finish with 76.2 run-block and 68.1 pass-block grades on Pro Football Focus. His 74.6 overall offense grade ranked 10th-best among eligible guards, marking the third consecutive season he finished 15th or better.

It isn't hard at all to see Smith's impact on the run game. Since the ex-Volunteer made his way to Kansas City, the Chiefs have ranked 7th, 8th, and T-8th in yards per carry. He's also been efficient at protecting Patrick Mahomes, allowing just four sacks over the last two years.

Considering how he only turns 25 years old in June, there's a decent chance that we haven't even seen Smith's best yet. Assuming that he does continue to improve, he should remain one of the NFL's premiere offensive linemen.

8. RB Kareem Hunt — 2017 Round 3, Pick 86

Who could forget about Kareem Hunt's electric rookie season with the Chiefs?

Owner of the third-most rushing yards in MAC history, Hunt didn't have any issues transitioning to the professional level. The former Toledo rusher paced the NFL with a whopping 1,327 rushing yards on 272 carries as a rookie, also hauling in 53 catches for 455 yards while finding the end zone 11 times. He finished second in the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year voting and even earned his first Pro Bowl nod.

But just when Hunt was about to build off that performance, the wheels came off. The Chiefs released the Willoughby, OH native in November 2018 due to a video emerging of him assaulting a woman. He's since spent the last five seasons on and off the Cleveland Browns' roster, finding varying amounts of success.

Hunt could've been one of the NFL's best running backs of the last decade, but his history of off-field issues derailed a once-promising career. He's still one of the Chiefs' better recent draft picks, but he likely would've been higher on this list had he not been his worst enemy.

7. DE George Karlaftis — 2022 Round 1, Pick 30

Pacheco and Smith aren't the only recent Chiefs draft picks who've already made a major impact.

Defensive end George Karlaftis, drafted 30th overall in 2022, has been a defensive force since arriving in town. Although he looked like a stud in his rookie year, "Furious George" took his game to another level in Year 2, setting new career highs in sacks (10.5) and solo tackles (29) while forcing a fumble and breaking up three passes. He also generated 83 pressures, per PFF, which was nearly doubled his rookie output (49).

His 65.4 defensive grade was far from the best in the NFL, but it was a major improvement over last year's mark of 50.2.

Given how his career has unfolded this far, it's hard not to be excited about Karlaftis' future. He just turned 23 earlier this month and, like Greek wine, there's a good chance he'll only get better with age. After leading the Chiefs with 3.0 sacks on their latest postseason run, I can't wait to see what he has in store as an encore this fall.

6. CB L'Jarius Sneed — 2020 Round 4, Pick 138

The next Chief on this list is one who just left town this offseason.

Veteran cornerback L'Jarius Sneed was productive throughout his four-year stay in Kansas City. The ex-Louisiana Tech shutdown specialist has given quarterbacks headaches since being drafted 138th overall in 2020, amassing 40 broken-up passes, 10 interceptions, and 6.5 sacks across 57 career games.

The 2023 campaign was just the latest example of how effective Sneed can be. Targeted 100 times over 16 regular-season games, Sneed only allowed 51 receptions for 478 yards without a touchdown. The 56.2 passer rating he allowed when targeted would've been tied for the sixth-worst rank among 59 quarterbacks last season — the same number that New York Jets backup QB Tim Boyle produced.

Having said that, Chiefs fans won't see much of Sneed going forward unless they're facing the New York Jets. After the team and player couldn't agree to terms on a new contract following the Super Bowl LVIII victory, Kansas City traded Sneed to New York for a 2025 third-rounder and a seventh-round pick swap.

But even if Sneed isn't with the team anymore, that doesn't change the fact that Veach & Co. made the right decision to draft him. At the end of the day, the NFL is a business and it isn't often that a player spends their entire career with one team.

5. CB Marcus Peters — 2015 Round 1, Pick 18

Sticking with cornerbacks, Chiefs fans still look back fondly on Marcus Peters' dominant (yet short) time with the franchise.

The former Washington Huskie made an immediate impact after being drafted 18th overall in 2015. Starting in all 16 appearances as a rookie, Peters paced the NFL in interceptions (8), interception yards (280), Pick 6's (2), and broken-up passes (26). His elite showing led to his being named the Defensive Rookie of the Year in addition to All-Pro second-team and Pro Bowl nods.

Peters remained a solid shutdown presence for the next two seasons, resulting in another All-Pro and Pro Bowl appearance. Unfortunately, Peters' off-field attitude issues and erratic behavior saw his run in Kansas City end quickly as he was traded to the LA Rams for a pair of draft picks during the 2018 offseason. He's since played for the Baltimore Ravens and, most recently, the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023.

It's always interesting to look back on Peters' career. While his behavior likely capped the heights he could've reached, you can't deny that he was one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history when he was on his game. The latter fact alone makes him one of the best players that the Chiefs have drafted in the last 10 years.

4. C Creed Humphrey — 2021 Round 2, Pick 63

Sometimes, it can take a while for an offensive lineman to develop. Fortunately, that hasn't been the case for the Chiefs when it comes to center Creed Humphrey, who they selected with the No. 63 pick back in 2021.

Humphrey, a former Oklahoma product, has quickly become one of the league's best centers despite not turning 25 until June. The ex-Sooner has done a fantastic job at protecting Mahomes while providing support for the run game, highlighted by the 79.6 pass-block and 87.0 run-block PFF grades he's averaging to begin his career.

Furthermore, his 81.4 offense grade in 2023 ranked fourth among 36 eligible centers, demonstrating just how good the Shawnee, OK native has been.

What's even more impressive is that Humphrey has already racked up more accolades than some players see in their entire career. He's been named to the last two Pro Bowls and even earned his first All-Pro nod with a second-team appearance in 2022. Assuming that he avoids any significant injuries, the 6-foot-4, 302-pound blocker will likely dominate the opposing defenses for years to come.

Don't be shocked if the Chiefs' decision to draft Humphrey looks better and better each year.

3. WR Tyreek Hill — 2016 Round 5, Pick 165

It's safe to say that expectations weren't too high when Tyreek Hill joined the Chiefs as the 165th-overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. After all, he had played college football at West Alabama — an NCAA Division II program — and was known more for his punt/kick return skills than his receiving.

Unsurprising, Kansas City used Hill as a return in his rookie season and it paid off. The ex-Tiger led the NFL in punt return yards (592) and touchdowns (2) while averaging 15.2 yards per return. He also tallied 61 receptions for 593 yards and six touchdowns while only starting once in 16 appearances.

The 2017 campaign was the one where Hill's career truly skyrocketed. He became the Chiefs' new No. 1 WR as he amassed 1,183 yards and seven TDs on 75 catches. Although that was one of the best receiving performances of the year, it was only the beginning. Hill went on to tally at least 1,100 yards and seven TDs four times between 2017 and 2021.

Hill's time with the Chiefs ended when he was traded to the Miami Dolphins for five draft picks in 2022. A combination of a lack of targets and guaranteed money played a role in the move. The 30-year-old speedster has remained elite across two seasons with the Dolphins, turning 238 catches into 3,509 yards and a whopping 20 TDs.

Even though the Chiefs have won back-to-back Super Bowls without him, it's hard not to miss Hill's presence. Kansas City has yet to find a legitimate WR1 to replace him. Rashee Rice looked promising before his legal issues. Free-agent acquisition Marquise Brown could be a solution, however, he's yet to even play a snap with Mahomes.

Fifth-round picks rarely develop into elite players, let alone one of the best wideouts to ever play the position. As the only NFL player with more than 10,000 receiving yards since 2016, it's easy to see why Hill is not only one of the Chiefs' best picks of the last decade but of all time.

2. DT Chris Jones — 2016 Round 2, Pick 37

When it came to ranking Hill and Chris Jones, I kept switching them back and forth. Ultimately, I decided to give second-place honors to the latter due to his still being with the franchise.

Nevertheless, it's hard to remember when Jones wasn't leading Kansas City's defensive line. While his first two campaigns with the Chiefs weren't that special, the former Mississippi State defender cemented himself as one of the NFL's most dangerous players over the last six campaigns.

Since the start of the 2018 season, Jones has racked up 67.0 sacks, 149 solo tackles, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recovers, 26 defended passes, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Not only does he have five All-Pro and Pro Bowl appearances apiece during that run, but he even finished third in the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Following the Super Bowl LVIII victory, Chiefs fans were worried that it might've been Jones' final run with the franchise. Kansas City didn't have much cap space heading into the offseason, leaving many to wonder if the world-class tackle was going to place elsewhere this fall.

Much to the delight of Chiefs Kingdom, GM Veach opened up space by trading Sneed and waiving Marquez Valdes-Scantling, creating enough room to re-sign Jones to a five-year, $158.75 million contract. It's a lot of money, sure, but well worth it for the game-changing presence that Jones provides every week.

Jones, 29, has proved that age won't stop him from being one of the best DTs in the league. Hopefully, it's a trend that continues for the duration of his new contract.

1. QB Patrick Mahomes — 2017 Round 1, Pick 10

The Chiefs' best draft pick of the last decade is one of two quarterbacks that they selected during that stretch. I was totally going to give the honor to Aaron Murray — drafted 163rd overall in 2014 — but it goes to Patrick Mahomes, who's turned out to be somewhat decent, I guess.

All joking aside, there's no way that you opened this article and didn't expect to see Mahomes at No. 1. The former Texas Tech gunslinger has proven not only to be the best quarterback in Chiefs history, but he's well on his way to challenging Tom Brady as the best to ever play the position.

Mahomes has terrorized the league's defense since taking over as Kansas City's QB1 in 2018. Over the last six years, the 28-year-old has led the NFL in wins (73), passing yards (28,140), touchdowns (219), and passer rating (103.7). That's without mentioning how he's going 15-3 with over 5,100 yards and 41 TDs in the postseason while leading the Chiefs to three Super Bowl victories.

Mahomes' impressive career has led to him becoming one of the most decorated players of all time. He's a three-time Super Bowl MVP with a pair of NFL MVP trophies to boot. He's been named All-Pro three times with six Pro Bowl appearances and even led the league in passing TDs twice.

Even with all of the above words, it's hard to explain just how phenomenal Mahomes is. He's completely turned the Chiefs around in less than a decade, putting them in a spot where they're the first dynasty to emerge since the 2000s New England Patriots. Considering how he isn't even 30 years old yet, Mahomes likely has another decade (if not more) to continue to bring Kansas City to new heights.

If a 2017 NFL re-draft was done today, Mahomes would go at No. 1 11 times out of 10. Fortunately, the Chiefs don't live in a world where that's a possibility, meaning they can rest easy knowing that they potentially made the greatest draft decision of all time seven years ago.

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