Kevin Ross was nobody’s idea of a top cornerback when the Kansas City Chiefs selected him from Temple University in the seventh round with the 173rd overall pick in the 1984 NFL draft. Ross was 5-foot-9, 185 pounds and slow.
Those opinions were only fortified when Ross, starting the season opener that year against the Pittsburgh Steelers, was picked on repeatedly and with much success. Ross allowed more than 300 receiving yards to wide receivers John Stallworth and Louis Lipps.
But Ross got better, and fast. He began to establish his reputation as a fierce competitor and hard hitter the next week against the Cincinnati Bengals when one of his tackles broke the jaw of wide receiver Issac Curtis.
Ross eventually established himself as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks. He played 14 NFL seasons, 11 with the Chiefs. Much of that time he paired with Albert Lewis to give the Chiefs the league’s premier combination at cornerback during an era that saw passing become an increasingly important component for NFL offenses.
Ross’ nickname was "Rock" because he was built like one, was as tough as one and was an intimidating hitter despite his size. Ross didn’t have the physical stature to battle opposing wide receivers or the speed to cover them down the field, but he made up for that with superb technique and an iron will that wouldn’t allow him to back down from a fight.
By the time his playing career ended, in 1997, Ross had been selected to play twice in the Pro Bowl. In 2011, he was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame.
That was far more than the Chiefs expected when they drafted him.
HONORABLE MENTION
Dave Hill, OT, Auburn: Hill was the Chiefs’ 24th-round draft pick (192nd overall) in the 1963 AFL draft. But he was their right tackle for 11 seasons and started in the franchise’s only Super Bowl victory, over the Minnesota Vikings following the 1969 season.
Dave Szott, OG, Penn State: Szott was the Chiefs’ seventh-round draft pick in 1990. But he moved into the starting lineup as a rookie and held the spot for eight seasons. Szott was overshadowed for much of his time with the Chiefs because he played with other outstanding offensive linemen, including eventual Hall of Famer Will Shields. But he was an important part of a line that helped carry the Chiefs to seven playoff berths in eight seasons, starting in Szott’s rookie year.
