Chiefs Ecstatic Looking at History of No. 9 Selections

From Hall of Famers to Defensive Players of Year, Brett Veach has to be licking his chops.

Oct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) and cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (27) celebrate after Simmon s interception against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two weeks ago, Andy Reid said he wanted the strange feeling of missing the playoffs, a forgettable 6-11 season, to remain a strange feeling.

One way to do that is to win the draft. There might not be a better way to win the draft, at least the first round, than drafting No. 9 overall.

Feb 28, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach during the NFL combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

And winning the draft is critical this year not simply because the Chiefs don’t want to get in the habit of having high picks. Kansas City faces the NFL’s worst salary-cap situation, more than $58 million in the red, so free agency will require a lot of creative accounting.

Here’s a look at the last five players taken No. 9 overall in the NFL draft.

2025

New Orleans, Kelvin Banks, tackle: The best rookie tackle in the NFL, according to ESPN.com. Banks was a primary reason that fellow rookie Tyler Shough was able to excel, and lead quarterbacks in his class this past season.

Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

2024

Chicago, Rome Odunze, wide receiver: One of two top-nine selections for the Bears in 2024, along with No. 1-overall choice Caleb Williams, has evolved into a quality-over-quantity weapon in Ben Johnson’s offense. Battled a foot injury late in the 2025 season but still finished eighth in the league among qualified players with an 8.0 yards-per-catch average. Also had first downs on 84.1 percent of his receptions, fourth-best in the league.

Nov 23, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) practices before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images | Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

2023

Philadelphia, Jalen Carter, defensive tackle: Already a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the league’s most disruptive interior linemen, has 13½ sacks over his first three NFL seasons. Helped the Eagles to a blowout Super Bowl win over the Chiefs in 2024. On the way there, had two sacks in a divisional playoff victory over the Rams.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) bumps into Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

2022

Seattle, Charles Cross, tackle: Sam Darnold’s blindside protector on the NFC’s No. 1-seeded team. Allowed just two sacks in 450 pass-block snaps this season.

2021

Denver, Pat Surtain, cornerback: The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Surtain led one of the league’s best defenses as Denver captured the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Jan 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) reacts after a hit during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Other notable No. 9-overall choices:

• Defensive tackle Ed Oliver (2019, Buffalo)

• Tackle Mike McGlinchey (2018, San Francisco)

• Linebacker Luke Kuechly (2012, Carolina)

Dec 23, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) stands on the field during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers defeated the Raiders 17-6. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-Imagn Images | Jeremy Brevard-Imagn Images

• Defensive tackle B.J. Raji (2009, Green Bay)

• Linebacker Brian Urlacher (2000, Chicago)

• Running back Fred Taylor (1998, Jacksonville)

• Tackle Richmond Webb (1990, Miami)

• Guard Bruce Matthews (1983, Houston Oilers)

Aug 4, 2007; Canton, OH, USA; Bruce Matthews former Houston Oilers - Tennessee Oilers/Titans from 1983 to 2001 speaks to the fans during the Enshrinement Ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-Imagn Images | Leon Halip-Imagn Images

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