Compensatory draft picks are awarded to NFL teams based on players gained and lost in free agency the season prior. They’re awarded better and more compensatory picks based on the quality of the players lost and gained in addition to the value of the contracts they sign. Teams can gain up to a maximum of four compensatory picks any given year.
This season the Kansas City Chiefs are without a compensatory draft pick. They lost four qualifying free agents but signed four players, which canceled out those signings. In the past, they’ve added some solid pieces to their team using compensatory picks. Kansas City has been awarded a total of 25 compensatory picks since they were introduced in 1994. However, they’ve only selected 21 players as they traded three compensatory selections in 2017 and one in 2018.
Here is an updated history of all the players that the Chiefs have selected in the NFL draft using a compensatory pick:
2019: RB Darwin Thompson
Thompson was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft with the 214th pick. He had an exciting preseason for Kansas City but got off to a slow start once the regular season kicked off. He finished the season with 128 rushing yards on 37 carries with one touchdown. You can find our full write-up on Thompson’s rookie season here.
2017: S Leon McQuay,
McQuay was selected in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft with the 218th pick. McQuay was with the Chiefs during the 2017 and 2018 NFL seasons, bouncing around from the practice squad to the active roster. McQuay was ultimately waived in May of 2019 and has been a free agent ever since.
2015: DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Nunez-Roches was selected in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft with the 216th pick. Nunez-Roches was with the Chiefs through the 2017 season. He started a total for 16 games along the defensive line in Kansas City, accumulating 27 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. He’s since played in just three games with Tampa Bay, recording two tackles.
2015: TE James O’Shaugnessy
O’Shaugnessy was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft with the 173rd pick. He spent two seasons with Kansas City before he was traded to the New England Patriots for a sixth-round pick in 2017. He recorded just eight receptions for 86 yards during his time with the Chiefs.
2015: LB D.J. Alexander
Alexander was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft with the 172nd pick. He spent two seasons in Kansas City before he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for LB Kevin Pierre-Louis in 2017. As a rookie in 2015, he appeared in all 16 games for Kansas City, mostly on special teams. He recorded 16 total tackles and a forced fumble on the season. In 2016, Alexander was named to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer.
2015: CB Steven Nelson
Nelson was selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft with the 98th pick. He was with the Kansas City Chiefs through the 2018 NFL season. In his rookie season, he appeared in 12 games, but mostly on special teams. In 2016, Nelson was the Chiefs’ primary nickel corner, starting 15 games and recording 16 passes defended. In 2018, Nelson was a starter at the outside corner spot, recording his best season yet, with four interceptions and 15 passes defended. Nelson left in free agency ahead of the 2019 season to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2013: FB Braden Wilson
Wilson was selected in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft with the 204th pick. He attended Kansas State and played fullback there. He was released ahead of the start of the 2013 NFL season after competing with FB Anthony Sherman during the 2013 preseason.
2013: RB Knile Davis
Davis was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft with the 96th pick. Davis was the primary backup to Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles through the 2016 NFL season. He only started two games for Kansas City but appeared in 55 games. He’s best known for his 106-yard kickoff return touchdown to open the wild-card round against the Houston Texans during the 2014 playoffs.
2011: DL Jerrell Powe
Powe was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft with the 199th pick. Powe was brought in to compete at the nose tackle spot in Kansas City. He was a career backup with the Chiefs with only one start during his career with the team. He was waived ahead of the start of the 2013 season but later re-signed after injuries struck.
2009: K Ryan Succop
Succop was selected in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft with the 256th pick, earning the title of “Mr. Irrelevant” for that class. He would go on to become the starting kicker for the Chiefs through the 2013 NFL season. Succop still holds franchise records for extra points attempted and made in a single game with eight.
2005: P Dustin Colquitt
Colquitt was selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft with the 99th pick. You can easily point to Colquitt as the most successful player out of all of the Chiefs’ compensatory picks. He’s the longest-tenured player for Kansas City. He’s climbed the leaderboards among NFL punters throughout his, making a strong case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he decides to retire.
2003: DB Willie Pile
Pile was selected in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL draft with the 252nd pick. Pile was eventually allocated to the NFL developmental league in Europe and played for the Amsterdam Admirals in 2004. He would return to Kansas City, also in 2004, and start four games in place of injured DB Greg Wesley. He was released in final roster cuts ahead of the 2005 season.
2001: DL Terdell Sands
Sands was selected in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL draft with the 243rd pick. He missed his rookie season after being placed on the non-football injury list with a foot injury. He was eventually allocated to the NFL developmental league in Europe, playing for the Berlin Thunder. He was waived ahead of the 2002 season. He’d eventually join the rival Oakland Raiders where he played from 2003-08.
2000: DB Pat Dennis
Dennis was selected in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL draft with the 162nd pick. He started for the Chiefs in 2000 after starting CB James Hasty was placed on injured reserve. In 2001 he found himself on injured reserve with an MCL strain. In October of 2001, he was waived with an injury settlement.
1998: FB Ernest Blackwell
Blackwell was selected in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL draft with the 224th pick. The Chiefs released Blackwell before the 1998 season. The former Mizzou star never played a single NFL game.
1997: WR Isaac Byrd
Byrd was selected in the sixth round of the 1997 NFL draft with the 195th pick. He was sent to the practice squad in Kansas City, but then Tennessee Oilers would poach him from the Chiefs’ practice squad. He’d play with the Oilers/Titans for three seasons.
1997: RB June Henley
Henley was selected in the fifth round of the 1997 NFL draft with the 163rd pick. He was cut before the start of the 1997 season. He’d join the Rams for the 1998 season, which was also his final season in the league. He played college ball for the University of Kansas.
1996: DB Darrell Williams
Williams was selected in the seventh round of the 1996 NFL draft with the 245th pick. He was cut ahead of the 1996 season and never played a single NFL game. He played collegiately at Tennesse State.
1995: DL Tom Barndt
Barndt was selected in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL draft with the 207th pick. Barndt originally played offensive linemen but transitioned to the defensive line where he had much more success. He started 30 games for the Chiefs from 1996-1999 and accumulated eight sacks during that time. He was the most productive player out of the three compensatory picks the Chiefs had in 1995.
1995: DL Bryan Proby
Proby was selected in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL draft with the 204th pick. He played for the Chiefs from 1995-1996. He was eventually allocated to the World League of American Football in Europe playing for the Scottish Claymores.
1995: LB Jerrot Willard
Willard was selected in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL draft with the 164th pick. Willard played in just one game for the Chiefs during his career, mainly due to significant injuries. He played collegiately for the California Golden Bears.
