The Kansas City Chiefs got their start in professional football in 1960 as one of the founding members of the American Football League. They had some immediate success, and since then have had a healthy supply of both good and bad years. Along the way, some great players have suited up for them too, including Len Dawson, Priest Holmes, Trent Green, Derrick Thomas, Tony Gonzalez, Christian Okoye, Abner Haynes, Neil Smith, Stephone Paige, Trent Green, Larry Johnson, Joe Montana, and Marcus Allen.
The Chiefs have always seemed to have at least a decent running game. Since they came into the league though, who has been the team's most successful rookie running back?
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The top five rookie running backs in Kansas City Chiefs history:
#5 - Herman Heard - 1984
After being drafted in the third round by the Chiefs, Herman Heard went on to do fairly well, carrying the ball 165 times during his rookie season for 684 yards. His four rushing touchdowns also helped the team out.
#4 - Mike Garrett - 1966
Mike Garrett came to the Chiefs as a late round selection in the 1966 AFL Draft. He went on to carry the ball 147 times for 801 yards. He also scored six rushing touchdowns.
#3 - Robert Holmes - 1968
Robert Holmes was another late draft pick, this time from the 14th round, that ended up paying off for the Chiefs during his rookie season. He carried the ball 174 times that year and gained 866 yards while scoring seven rushing touchdowns.
#2 - Abner Haynes - 1960
During the 1960 season, when the team was still known as the Dallas Texans, they had a rookie running back named Abner Haynes who they had drafted in the fifth round. He carried the ball that season 156 times for 875 yards and nine touchdowns.
#1 - Joe Delaney - 1981
The Chiefs had used a second round pick in 1981 on Joe Delaney and it paid off big time. Delaney may have only scored three touchdowns that season, but he carried the ball 234 times for 1,121 yards. Through the 2009 season, he is still the only rookie running back to ever have a thousand yard season for the Kansas City Chiefs. Sadly, before the start of what would have been his third season in the NFL, Delaney died while attempting to save three children from drowning.
The Best Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Running Backs of All Time KANSAS CITY
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