Kansas City Chiefs: Best Offensive Linemen in Franchise History

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Among all positions, the Kansas City Chiefs have found a lot of success at offensive line.

The Chiefs have had past offensive linemen receive multiple awards and honors, with some likely to be enshrined, or in Willie Roaf's case, awaiting enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.

At a position where the Chiefs have been stacked, we will cover the top three tackles, guards and centers in franchise history.

Top 3 Tackles

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We will start with the offensive tackles. The Chiefs have had some of the biggest tackles in the game who have made a difference and have helped other offensive players on the Chiefs succeed, especially quarterbacks and running backs.

3. John Alt

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John Alt came to Kansas City in 1984 and spent his entire career in Kansas City.

Alt’s career got off to a slow start, but he rose in the 1990s, earning two Pro Bowl invitations and starting 149 games for the Chiefs at offensive tackle.

Alt, playing mostly at the blind side, blocked for Bill Kenney, Steve DeBerg, David Krieg, Joe Montana and Steve Bono.

2. Willie Roaf

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After being let go by the New Orleans Saints, Dick Vermeil picked up the All-Pro left tackle in 2002.

Roaf came to Kansas City and was a big asset in blocking for Trent Green and paving the way for Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson.

Roaf earned four of his 11 Pro Bowl tickets with the Chiefs, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year.

1. Jim Tyrer

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Jim Tyrer became a part of the Chiefs franchise when they were the Dallas Texans in the early days of the AFL.

As the Chiefs became one of the better teams in the AFL, Tyrer helped establish a name for himself as one of the best tackles in the game at that time. Tyrer is a six-time AFL All-Star and a two-time Pro Bowler.

Tyrer and the Chiefs reached two Super Bowls, winning one of them in 1970 over the Minnesota Vikings.

Top 3 Guards

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As we move to the interior guards, you will learn that the Chiefs are more stacked at this position.

Their reputation at the line has been mostly good. Their most remarkable offensive line is in this part of the list.

3. Brian Waters

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While playing for one of the strongest lines in NFL history, Brian Waters, despite being undrafted, found a way to label himself as one of the most reliable guards in the league while with the Chiefs. He is still highly regarded as a player while playing for the New England Patriots.

Waters reached the Pro Bowl six times and represented the Chiefs in five of them. His two All-Pro awards came in 2004 and 2005 when he helped open holes for Holmes and Johnson. Waters also helped Jamaal Charles become a 1,000-yard rusher.

2. Ed Budde

Ed Budde was the first NFL offensive lineman to ever receive the AP Offensive Player of the Week award.

He was one of Len Dawson's favorite blockers as he allowed Dawson make his passes while Mike Garrett took advantage of his blocks in the running game.

Budde was selected to five AFL All-Star games while helping the Chiefs become one of the better teams in the AFL and capture their first and only Super Bowl title in 1970.

1. Will Shields

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GM Carl Peterson had a choice to make in the third round of 1993 NFL Draft. He decided to take an offensive guard by the name of Will Shields out of Nebraska. But Shields played like a first-round pick.

Shields started 132 consecutive games including postseason contests. Shields had a huge role in helping the Chiefs offensive that would consistently finish in the top five in rushing with Marcus Allen, Holmes and Johnson.

He went to the Pro Bowl every year from 1995 to 2006, a total of 12 visits. While eligible, Shields should be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame within the next couple of years.

Top 3 Centers

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Here is the player who creates every NFL play. The center. The Chiefs have had a couple of big-name centers over the years.

Chiefs quarterbacks and running backs were comfortable with not only the tackles and guards, but also the main guys right in the middle of the line.

3. E.J. Holub

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E.J. Holub can very well be considered one of the more versatile players in the history of professional football. Holub is the only player to start in two Super Bowls at two different positions. He first played linebacker for the Texans before the franchise relocated to Kansas City.

Holub was started at linebacker for the Chiefs in the first Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers. In 1970, the Chiefs played the Vikings as Holub started at center. He was part of Hank Stram’s 65 Toss Power Trap play, which eventually led the Chiefs over the Vikings to capture their first and only Super Bowl title.

Holub earned five AFL All-Star honors and two All-Pro honors.

2. Jack Rudnay

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While Holub played less at the center position, the Chiefs took the player they drafted and placed him at the center position.

With Dawson, Mike Livingston, Steve Fuller and Kenney under center, Rudnay was successful in his quarterback exchanges while the Chiefs had some struggles during the 1970s and 1980s.

Rudnay went to the Pro Bowl from 1973 to 1976 and also has four All-Pro honors under his belt.

1. Casey Wiegmann

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Here is another Chiefs offensive lineman who came into the league with no hype from the media on draft day. Wiegmann went undrafted and was a journeyman for a few years before coming to Kansas City in 2001 for his first of two stints.

From September 23, 2001 all the way through January 1, 2012, Wiegmann has had over 10,000 consecutive snaps with the Chiefs and Denver Broncos. He came back to Kansas City after spending a short amount of time in Denver to keep his career going.

Wiegmann, who is a free agent and has yet to announce his retirement, has 127 consecutive starts. It is the highest total among all active centers in the league today.

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