16. Tyreek Hill (2016-2021)

Accolades: 6 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Tyreek Hill was debated in relation to kicker Jan Stenerud and other past stars such as Curley Culp but ultimately made the cut ahead of Culp, too, because of his fast catalyst role in ushering in the big winning with Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones.

Place in Chiefs history: Hill was traded before he could collect more rings with Mahomes and has put up some massive seasons in Miami. His speedy legend has grown as a Dolphin, but it's fondly remembered how feared he was as a Chief and making the biggest play for Mahomes and arguably the best in franchise history, "Jet Chip Wasp."

Category	Points
Number of seasons	5
Stats	7
Awards	6
Playoff success	7
Best 3-5 year stretch	7
Health	5
Franchise records	3
Cultural impact	6
Retirement honors	N/A
Total	46

MORE: Why did the Chiefs trade Tyreek Hill?

15. Christian Okoye (1987-1993)

Accolades: 7 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, one-time first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL rushing leader

Why he made SN's list: Christian Okoye was born in Nigeria and found his calling as a powerful ball-carrying fullback at a time when massive workhorse NFL power running was the rage of offenses. He put the Chiefs' attack on the map and still lingers in the minds of opposing defenders as "The Nigerian Nightmare."

Place in Chiefs history: Okoye remains beloved despite his short time with the Chiefs almost four decades ago for being their notable offensive star in the Marty Schottenheimer era and is a tribute to the late coach's style of winning teams.

Category	Points
Number of seasons	5
Stats	6
Awards	6
Playoff success	3
Best 3-5 year stretch	7
Health	7
Franchise records	3
Cultural impact	9
Retirement honors	3
Total	49

MORE: Complete list of Super Bowl MVP winners through the years

12. Jamaal Charles (2008-2016)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL rushing TD leader, career highest NFL yards per carry (5.4)

Why he made SN's list: Jamaal Charles is the Chiefs' all-time leading rusher with 7,260 yards to go along with his 43 rushing TDs. He was a dynamic and explosive runner in his prime and was the first key back to rev up the Reid era of consistent offensive team prowess.

Place in Chiefs history: Charles was a special player, and for a team with a history of top backs, he's the easy choice to edge past a crowd behind him.

Category	Points
Number of seasons	6
Stats	9.5
Awards	4
Playoff success	4
Best 3-5 year stretch	5
Health	5
Franchise records	10
Cultural impact	5
Retirement honors	3
Total	51.5

MORE: Jamaal Charles gives touching speech about his disability at Special Olympics

8. Buck Buchanan (1963-1975)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, 6-time AFL All-Star, 6-time All-AFL, AFL champion, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Buck Buchanan, at 6-foot-7 and 287 pounds, was a menace to running backs and quarterbacks with his large, scary and relentless frame. He was very quick and disruptive for his size and was as essential to the Chiefs' elite former defense as Bell and Lanier.

Place in Chiefs history: Buchanan will be forever remembered among the first core of defensive success and was classy throughout his battle with lung cancer, during which he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton.

Category	Points
Number of seasons	8
Stats	4
Awards	7
Playoff success	7
Best 3-5 year stretch	6
Health	7
Franchise records	3
Cultural impact	6
Retirement honors	2
Total	54

MORE: How many Super Bowls have the Chiefs won?

6. Will Shields (1993-2006)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 12 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

Why he made SN's list: Will Shields, a third-round draft pick in 1993 after a dominant career blocking for Nebraska's then-elite rushing attack, was a steal, becoming a consistent fast-track Hall of Famer. At 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, he was as nimble as he was powerful, paving the way for runners such as Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson to have big seasons.

Place in Chiefs history: Shields remains the all-around best offensive lineman the Chiefs have ever had, a tradition now carried on by Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey on the interior.

Category	Points
Number of seasons	9
Stats	N/A
Awards	9
Playoff success	7
Best 3-5 year stretch	9
Health	8
Franchise records	5
Cultural impact	4
Retirement honors	8
Total	59

MORE: What is the Chiefs mascot? A history of KC Wolf's pioneering place in the NFL

3. Tony Gonzalez (1997-2008)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls, 6-time first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL receptions leader

Why he made SN's list: Before there was Kelce challenging for the throne of GOAT receiving tight end, Tony Gonzalez was setting a new modern standard for volume receiving and execution at the position. Gonzalez, a former college basketball player, used his athleticism, reliable hands and route running as the ultimate hybrid target for multiple QBs. He also was durable and reliable, playing at a high level through his final five seasons with the Falcons.

Place in Chiefs history: Kelce over Gonzalez should be debated, but Kelce wins, because of the likelihood he ends his career with Kansas City and having all the playoff and Super Bowl accolades that Gonzalez didn't get to experience. Gonzalez, however, was the best player in franchise history before the core of the present.

Category	Points
Number of seasons	8
Stats	9
Awards	8
Playoff success	5
Best 3-5 year stretch	10
Health	10
Franchise records	8
Cultural impact	6
Retirement honors	8
Total	72

MORE: Tony Gonzalez and other sports stars who played in March Madness

2. Travis Kelce (2013-active)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls, 4-time first-team All-Pro, 3-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Travis Kelce is the modern exemplar receiving tight end, taking the reins from Rob Gronkowski and raising the bar with his durability and clutch playoff work, working toward matching the four Super Bowl rings. Kelce has worked hard to become a prolific, consistent receiver, taking advantage of his great connection with Andy Reid's offensive scheme and Mahomes' passing.

Place in Chiefs history: Kelce and Mahomes have transformed the narrative of the franchise from frequent but frustrated contenders to dynastic dominance, replacing Gronkowski, Brady and the Patriots as the league's most envied team. Kelce's crossover into celebrity pop culture has further stamped his beloved legacy.

Category	Points
Number of seasons	9
Stats	9
Awards	7
Playoff success	10
Best 3-5 year stretch	10
Health	10
Franchise records	10
Cultural impact	8
Retirement honors	N/A
Total	73