Seven Chiefs make Pete Prisco’s list of the top 100 NFL players

Kansas City had five players on the 2023 list. Two young players join them for 2024.

On Wednesday, CBS Sports reporter Pete Prisco released his annual ranking of the NFL’s top 100 players.

Prisco makes no bones about it: these rankings are his opinion — but he admits that “conversations with some league personnel” factor into his annual evaluations. “Mostly, though,” he explains, “it’s my list.”

But it isn’t easy. That much I can promise you. Putting together a top 100 list is tougher than you think — aside from No. 1, of course. That’s easy. That’s a player who now clearly looks down from the top spot of these rankings and soon might be looking down from the top spot of all rankings of players in NFL history.

Prisco is referring to the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, the first of seven Kansas City players in his top 100.

1. Patrick Mahomes · QB · Kansas City Chiefs (2023 ranking: 1st)

His numbers were down last season, but he showed in the playoffs that he is the best player in the league — and on his way to being considered the best ever. If he three-peats this season, is it time to say he’s the best ever?

Yes, it would be. But let us not get ahead of ourselves. The Chiefs face a long, arduous journey ahead of them—and massive bullseye on their backs. That’s why a third straight NFL championship will have a significant impact on Mahomes’ all-time ranking.

14. Chris Jones · DE · Kansas City Chiefs (2023: 13th)

The Chiefs leaned heavily on their defense to win last year’s Super Bowl, with Jones being the catalyst of that unit. He can take over games, and can do so from the inside and the outside. He can wreck an offensive line.

All true. But I disagree with Prisco’s characterization of Jones as a defensive end. That is so 2021. He’s returned to playing the majority of his snaps in the interior. Nonetheless, he can win from wherever.

18. Travis Kelce · TE · Kansas City Chiefs (2023: 6th)

He wasn’t quite as good last year as he’s been in his career with too many drops, but he still remains one of the best in the league. A bad year for him was catching 93 passes, but his yards per catch fell to 10.6, the lowest of his career. He did amp it up in the postseason with 32 catches in four games.

Prisco recognizes that Kelce’s “down” season is one that any other tight end would be proud of. Despite playing only 15 games, he had 36 less receiving yards than league leader George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers, whom Prisco ranks 37th. Meanwhile, Kelce led all tight ends with 90 or more targets in terms of first downs (or success rate). That demonstrates how heavily the Kansas City offense relies on him.

30. Trent McDuffie · CB · Kansas City Chiefs (2023: NR)

He had his best season in helping the Chiefs’ defense lead the team to a Super Bowl victory. He played in the slot in the second half of the season and showed off his skills there to do a lot of things, including rush the passer.

Prisco rejects the notion that the Chiefs gave away their finest cornerback. L’Jarius Sneed, now with the Tennessee Titans, is 51st on his list. Yes, the Kansas City secondary may suffer if McDuffie and Sneed are no longer in the defensive backfield together. However, under Brett Veach, Kansas City has regularly proved its ability to find strong secondary players, making this unlikely.

48. Creed Humphrey · C · Kansas City Chiefs (2023: 40th)

He remains one of the league’s best centers, although his play was off a bit last season. He is good in both the run game and in pass protection, helping form one of the best inside trios in the league.

86. Joe Thuney · G · Kansas City Chiefs (2023: 80th)

As part of the best interior-line group in the league, he excels in pass protection. He did miss time last season and in the playoffs, which is concerning since he turns 32 in November.

90. Trey Smith · G · Kansas City Chiefs (Last season: NR)

He is a mauler in the run game who has improved in pass protection, which is a must in their offense. He helps form one of the best inside trios in the league with Joe Thuney and Creed Humphrey.

While the defending Super Bowl winners need to replace a void on the left side of the offensive line, there is no problem on the inside. Prisco accurately identified the league’s finest inside trio. The real issue will arise in a year, when two players are set to become free agents.

Final takeaway

After winning Super Bowl LVII, Prisco had five Kansas City players on his top 100. A year later — after winning Super Bowl LVIII — there are seven. Three players from the team’s Super Bowl LIV squad — wide receiver Tyreek Hill, cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Tyrann Mathieu — watched the Chiefs win back-to-back championships while playing for other teams. All three — now joined by Sneed — are on Prisco’s top 100 for 2024.

Sure… it’s just one man’s opinion. But his opinion leads to a specific conclusion: the Chiefs team isn’t built to win a championship. It is built to win multiple championships.