By beating the San Diego Chargers in Week 17, the Kansas City Chiefs knocked them out of the postseason but in the process, dropped one position in the 2015 NFL Draft to 18th overall.
Here is a historical look at all the 18th overall picks since 1970 (1970 was the first year of the combined NFL Draft; an AFL-NFL common draft *was held from 1967-1969):
*Hall of Famer
18th Overall Picks Since 1970 YEAR TEAM POSITON PLAYER 2014 NYJ FS Pryor, Calvin 2013 SF FS Reid, Eric 2012 SD DE Ingram, Melvin 2011 SD DT Liuget, Corey 2010 PIT C Pouncey, Maurkice 2009 DEN DE Ayers, Robert 2008 BAL QB Flacco, Joe 2007 CIN DB Hall, Leon 2006 DAL LB Carpenter, Bobby 2005 MIN DE James, Erasmus 2004 NO DE Smith, Will 2003 ARI DE Pace, Calvin 2002 ATL RB Duckett, T.J. 2001 DET T Backus, Jeff 2000 OAK K Janikowski, Sebastian 1999 OAK G Stinchcomb, Matt 1998 NE RB Edwards, Robert 1997 TEN DE Holmes, Kenny 1996 STL WR Kennison, Eddie 1995 OAK RB Kaufman, Napoleon 1994 MIN DB Washington, Dewayne 1993 PHX T Dye, Ernest 1992 SF DB Hall, Dana 1991 CIN DE Williams, Alfred 1990 GB DE Bennett, Tony 1989 NYG C Williams, Brian 1988 PIT DE Jones, Aaron 1987 SEA DE Woods, Tony 1986 DAL WR Sherrard, Mike 1985 STL DE Nunn, Freddie Joe 1984 CLE DB Rogers, Don 1983 CHI WR Gault, Willie 1982 NYG RB Woolfolk, Butch 1981 BAL DE Thompson, Donnell 1980 WAS WR Monk, Art** 1979 SEA DT Tuiasosopo, Manu 1978 NE T Cryder, Bob 1977 DEN G Schindler, Steve 1976 BUF DB Clark, Mario 1975 DAL LB Henderson, Thomas 1974 BUF TE Gant, Reuben 1973 SF DB Holmes, Mike 1972 CLE DB Darden, Thom 1971 NYG RB Thompson, Rocky 1970 BAL RB Bulaich, Norm
- The top three positions drafted with the 18th pick historically since 1970 are defensive end (12), defensive back (7) and running back (6).
- The position of the 18th selection the last two seasons in a row has been a free safety.
- Only one quarterback (Joe Flacco in 2008) and one Hall of Famer (Art Monk, a wide receiver) have been drafted 18th overall since 1970.
The Kansas City Approach
Though these are interesting trends to read, Kansas City has regarded itself as a team who will go after the best player overall since John Dorsey took over general manager duties two seasons ago.
While he reiterated that point Monday, Dorsey also acknowledged that heading into this offseason, various team needs will be evaluated. That could perhaps lead to somewhat of a shift in approach that we haven't seen before.
"As we move forward, we are always still trying to see if we can fit a piece in here or fit a piece in there," Dorsey said. "I think that the (wide receiver) stats speak for themselves and we're going to have to do some work there."
Dorsey has said in the past that he always looks past player skill level and also regards player personality as an important factor in drafting. He wants his draftees to bring a strong character to Kansas City.
"Guys who love to play the game, guys who are passionate about the game, you can't have enough of those guys on your roster, you really can't," he said Monday.
2015 will mark the first year that the Kansas City Chiefs will pick 18th overall.
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Photos from the Chiefs Week 17 matchup against the Chargers
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