Let’s hear what you think!
It’s always fascinating to see how expectations drive the public’s perception of NFL players. A solid player can spend six years playing for a franchise. If he doesn’t become an All-Pro after being taken in the first round of the draft, some fans will label him a bust. But if he is selected in the seventh round, most fans will consider him a star.
On this Tuesday, let’s consider the Kansas City players who have surprised us the most — either because they exceeded our expectations or never came close to them.
In the former category, it’s hard for me to get past Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Bell, who played in every Kansas City game over a 12-year career, collecting six straight All-Pro honors through the 1970 season. But while the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings drafted Bell out of the hometown University of Minnesota in the second round of the 1963 NFL Draft, the Chiefs took him in the seventh round of that year’s AFL draft.
Among the team’s disappointments, tackle Trezelle Jenkins — selected 31st in the first round of the 1995 draft — leads the list for me. He ultimately appeared in just nine Kansas City games (starting only one) over his three-season NFL career.
Which Chiefs player has been the most pleasant (or unpleasant) surprise for you? Let’s talk about it!