Kansas has had 16 players selected in the NFL draft this century, but just one who has gone in the first three rounds. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used their first-round pick, the 20th overall, to select cornerback Aqib Talib in 2008.
**Breakdown by round for 21st-century KU draft picks:**
First round: One
Second round: None
Third round: None
Fourth round: Six
Fifth round: Four
Sixth round: Four
Seventh round: One
**Breakdown by position:**
Defensive back: Four
Offensive line: Four
Wide receiver: Three
Defensive line: Two
Fullback: One
Linebacker: One
Tight end: One
**KU’s 16 21st-century NFL draft picks:**
Year | Player (pos.) | Round (Overall) |
NFL team |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Moran Norris (FB) | 4 (115) | Saints |
2002 | Nate Dwyer (DT) | 4 (113) | Cardinals |
2002 | Justin Hartwig (C) | 6 (187) | Titans |
2004 | Adrian Jones (OT) | 4 (132) | Jets |
2005 | David McMillan (DE) | 5 (139) | Browns |
2008 | Aqib Talib (CB) | 1 (20) | Buccaneers |
2008 | Anthony Collins (OT) | 4 (112) | Bengals |
2008 | Derek Fine (TE) | 4 (132) | Bills |
2008 | Marcus Henry (WR) | 6 (171) | Jets |
2010 | Darrell Stuckey (S) | 4 (110) | Chargers |
2010 | Kerry Meier (WR) | 5 (165) | Falcons |
2010 | Dezmon Briscoe (WR) | 6 (191) | Bengals |
2013 | Tanner Hawkinson (OT) | 5 (156) | Bengals |
2015 | Ben Heeney (LB) | 5 (140) | Raiders |
2015 | JaCorey Shepherd (CB) | 6 (191) | Eagles |
2015 | Dexter McDonald (CB) | 7 (242) | Raiders |
It’s been 21 years since the Chiefs selected a Kansas football player in the draft. Before technology made it so easy to study prospects without leaving your desk, local picks were more common for NFL teams.
The Chiefs selected two Jayhawks in the AFL draft and have selected seven in the NFL draft:
Year | Player | Round (Overall) |
Position |
---|---|---|---|
1965 | Gale Sayers | 1, AFL (5) | HB |
1966 | Willie Ray Smith | 19, AFL (97) | DB |
1974 | David Jaynes | 3 (66) | QB |
1976 | Steve Taylor | 6 (166) | DB |
1977 | Chris Golub | 7 (177) | DB |
1977 | Waddell Smith | 8 (215) | WR |
1982 | Greg Smith | 7 (184) | DT |
1997 | June Henley | 5 (163) | RB |
1997 | Isaac Byrd | 6 (195) | WR |
Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs use one of their fourth-round draft choices, 122nd and 124th overall, on defensive end Dorance Armstrong. Tight end Ben Johnson is the only other KU player with any shot at getting drafted, although free agency is the more likely path for him to an NFL career.