The Kansas City Chiefs are a bit of a strange franchise. While they're currently dominating the NFL with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid leading the squad, that wasn't always the case. Prior to the former Eagles coach getting there, the team was considered one of the worst in the league historically.

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However, there was a stretch of time, mostly in the 60s, when they were incredible and had several Hall of Famers on the roster. Seeing as how the Kansas City Chiefs have been around for over 60 years, there's been some incredible talent playing at Arrowhead Stadium. However, some players were better than others.

10 Alex Smith

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

This is a bit of a strange selection on the surface, seeing as how Alex Smith only won a single game for the Chiefs. However, that win ended a two-decade drought for the team without a playoff win. Although he lacks postseason success, Smith made the Pro Bowl and led the Chiefs to a winning season every year he was starting quarterback.

Ultimately, it was Smith helping change the tide that earned him a spot as one of the greatest Chiefs ever. Prior to his arrival in 2013, the team lacked an identity and was one of the worst franchises in the league. Leaving Kansas City, the Chiefs were in good hands with Patrick Mahomes, who stated Smith helped him tremendously.

9 Jamaal Charles

Jamaal Charles
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Jamaal Charles was the bright spot in what were some dark years in Kansas City. Drafted in the third round in the 2008 draft, the running back made an immediate impact as a kick returner. One year later, he was the starting halfback, and one of the best in the league.

In a mind-bogglingly statistic, Jamaal Charles never rushed for less than 1,000 yards in a season where he was healthy. Sadly, while he is an All-Pro, and Chiefs great, he wasn't healthy all that often, which led to his prime being short.

8 Priest Holmes

Priest Holmes
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There's something about Kansas City and great running backs. Priest Holmes is one of the greatest underdog stories in the history of the NFL, as he went from an undrafted running back to a Super Bowl champion and multiple-time Pro Bowl selection.

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While he won a Super Bowl in Baltimore, in Kansas City, Holmes became an all-time great. Having played for the team from 2001 to 2007, he had several mind-boggling seasons. His best year came in 2002 when he put up over 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns and was named offensive player of the year.

7 Otis Taylor

NFL: Super Bowl IV
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While not a name that jumps out to too many fans today, Otis Taylor has a place in history among one of the best players of the early NFL post-merger. Having played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1965 to 1975, he helped the team win a Super Bowl, and two AFL championships.

Taylor was an essential piece of the Chiefs' early success, and the team's history wouldn't be the same without him. The great Len Dawson once stated that if you could get the ball even a little close to the wideout, it was a guaranteed catch. He wasn't wrong.

6 Will Shields

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Will Shields has the honor of being arguably the greatest offensive lineman in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs. Considering the talent that has helped lead the charge over the years for the team, that means a lot.

Shields was drafted in the third round of the 1993 NFL draft by the Chiefs, and he wouldn't look back. He would spend his entire NFL career with the team, making several Pro Bowls. In 2015, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as well.

5 Len Dawson

 Kansas City Chiefs quarterback (16) Len Dawson

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"Lenny the Cool" helped the Kansas City Chiefs to their early success arguably more than any other name. His connection with Otis Taylor, as well as his relationship with head coach Hank Stram helped the team make two Super Bowls.

In 1970, helped the team defeat the massively favored Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV, being named MVP in the process. Dawson's contributions to the Chiefs were indescribable, and it's hard to state his importance to the franchise.

4 Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez
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It feels almost wrong to have arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history this far down. Tony Gonzalez was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997 and spent the next 12 seasons dominating the league. In many of those years, they didn't even have another notable pass-catching besides him.

However, he would continue to dominate. Sadly for Chiefs fans, Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2009, where he played the remainder of his career.

3 Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce
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Travis Kelce is the greatest tight end in the league today and will go down as one of the best ever when all is said and done. Having been drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, he's dominated ever since. Granted, he did miss his rookie season due to injury.

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After missing that year, Kelce has barely missed time despite his insane workload. While he was already incredible with Alex Smith early in his career, the tight end's connection with Patrick Mahomes is unmatched. Thanks to those two, as well as names like Tyreek Hill, they won the Super Bowl in 2020.

2 Derrick Thomas

Derrick Thomas
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For lack of a better term, Derrick Thomas was a man amongst boys when playing football. The linebacker was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989 and instantly made an impact with 10 sacks in his rookie season. While his first year was tremendous, the best was yet to come.

Thomas played 11 seasons in the NFL, ultimately passing away following the 1999 season. Despite his tragic premature passing, the linebacker still put in more than enough work on the field to be considered one of the best ever.

1 Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes
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There's no other option. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL and is currently about to wrap up his second MVP in his career. While he's only spent five years as a starting quarterback, he's cemented himself as one of the most entertaining players ever as well.

Mahomes makes the impossible, possible when on the field. He's won the Super Bowl, won two AFC championships, and made the Pro Bowl every year of his career as a starter. Simply put, Mahomes is the greatest Chief ever, and his legacy will only continue to grow in Kansas City.