Kansas City Chiefs Greatest Defensive Tacklers In History

Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Chiefs are an American football team that competes in the NFL. the American Football Conference West division is home to the Kansas City Chiefs, a member of the National Football League. Over the years, the top defensive players for the Kansas City Chiefs have all had a huge impact on the squad.

Here is the top 5 Kansas City Chiefs Best Defensive Tacklers Of All-Time

1. Derrick Thomas

NFL pass rusher Derrick Thomas was one of the greatest ever. Several Chiefs and NFL records were broken by him over his 11 years with the team. On his impressive resume: 126.5 sacks, nine Pro Bowl appearances, 18 fumble recoveries, and 45 forced fumbles. When sacks first became an official statistic in 1982, Derrick Thomas was the sole player.

2. Tamba Hali

On the field in 2007, Hali has seven touchdown interceptions, two interceptions returned for TDs, six tackles, two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.  For the 2008 season, Hali replaced Jared Allen at right defensive end. At this point in his career (in 2008), the defensive lineman had three interceptions and 55 tackles in addition to two pass deflections and three interceptions.

3. Jerry Mays

The Dallas Texans selected Jerry Mays in the fifth round of the 1961 draft out of SMU. As an offensive tackle, he earned two All-AFL teams during his time in the league. While on the Texans/Chiefs defensive line for 10 seasons, he became a force.

All-Star six times, Mays captained the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowl victories. Mays was a member of the All-AFL team in 1970.

4. Dan Saleaumua

Dan Saleaumua spent eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Saleaumua played 125 games with the Chiefs and recorded 28 sacks in the early 1990s, when the team’s defense was at its best. He recovered 17 fumbles during his eight seasons, returning two of them for touchdowns.

5. Neil Smith

As a pass rusher for the Kansas City Chiefs in the early and mid 1990s, Neil Smith was a star. Smith had 85.5 sacks and 28 fumble recoveries in nine seasons with the Chiefs. One of Smith’s most notable achievements during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs was that he was named to the Pro Bowl six times.