The Kansas City Chiefs had six players make Touchdown Wire’s list of the top 101 players in the NFL today. This list isn’t like the NFL Network’s top 100 list in the sense that it’s a popularity contest among players. Instead, Doug Farrar and Mark Schofield spent countless hours compiling 14 different lists of the 11 best players at every position in NFL football. From those lists, they whittled players down to a 101-player list of the top players heading into the 2020 season.

A total of six Chiefs players made the list and three of them made it into the top 15. That’s something you’d expect from a Super Bowl-winning squad. You can find the full list here. Below we’ll take a look at each of the six players recognized.

52. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce kisses the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

“In the end, Kittle is four years younger, so he’s got more football ahead of him. A copout? Perhaps. But as these lists are also forward-thinking in nature, ask yourself this: If you could choose between the two to build an offense around for the next five years, which player are you picking?”

The debate between Kelce and Kittle rages on. Kittle ranked No. 38 on this list, while Kelce came in at No. 52. The reasoning, quoted above, was sound. However, Kelce is marching his way to a Hall of Fame career, while Kittle’s story still hasn’t been written. If Kelce retired in following the 2019 season, he would have already had a good case to make it as the first tight end to ever have four-consecutive 1000-yard receiving seasons.

46. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Jimmie Ward (20) looks to tackle Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the second quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

“As the expression goes, ‘speed kills.’ Tyreek Hill certainly checks that box. Among the fastest players to suit up, Hill is a home run threat every single time he touches the football. Combine that with the fact that he has the combination of Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy designing the plays for him, and Patrick Mahomes getting him the football, and he is a highlight reel in cleats.”

Hill came in at No. 22 in NFL Network’s Top 100 list. Chiefs fans will probably find this ranking disappointing, especially considering he can likely beat several of the defensive banks ranked ahead of him on the list with ease. He’s also outproduced some of the wideouts ranked ahead of him. He’s the toughest player to cover one-on-one in the NFL and inspires fear in defenses across the league. This ranking surely doesn’t do those facts justice.

41. Mitchell Schwartz, OT, Kansas City Chiefs

Sep 22, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Mitchell Schwartz (71) looks to block against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

“Since being drafted in the second round out of the University of California, Mitchell Schwartz has been a starter at right tackle in the National Football League. After four years in Cleveland, Schwartz has been a rock solid contributor for the Chiefs the past four seasons. Last year was a masterpiece from Schwartz, who went the entire season without allowing a single sack. He also gave up just 21 quarterback pressures, the lowest mark of his entire NFL career.”

The fact that Schwartz has been left off both ESPN’s top offensive tackle list and NFL Network’s top 100 list is a crime against humanity. Simply put, Schwartz is the most underappreciated player in the NFL. He’s not a freak athlete and he plays perhaps the most unglamorous position in football, but none of that matters when your play is elite. Schwartz deserves all the recognition and I’m glad to see that the folks at Touchdown Wire get it.

14. Chris Jones, DI, Kansas City Chiefs

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 08: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs exchanges words with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots during the first half of the game at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

“Jones has been an imposing force inside for the Chiefs since entering the league in 2016. His best year in the league was likely the 2018 campaign when he recorded a career-high 16 sacks, but last year was nothing to scoff at. During the Chiefs’ run to a Super Bowl title, Jones notched nine sacks to go with his 64 quarterback pressures, and also set a career-high with 23 tackles. Even more impressive is when you remember that he played in just 13 games while dealing with a calf injury.”

Jones is a game-wrecking defensive tackle. He splits double teams with ease. He pressures, hits and sacks the quarterback with the best of them. He isn’t a slouch in run defense, despite popular opinion. Oh, and if Jones can’t get to the quarterback, he gets his long arms up in throwing lanes and bats passes down.

8. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Kansas City Chiefs

Jan 19, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrates after defeating the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

“Speaking of versatility…

Tyrann Mathieu already made two positional lists here at Touchdown Wire, when we named him the league’s best slot defender and the sixth-best safety.”

Mathieu’s versatility makes him such an asset for the Chiefs’ defense. They can disguise coverages with ease. He can play both the safety and the slot at a high level which is incredibly valuable in this day and age of the NFL. He can show blitz and drop into coverage or vice versa. Whatever Steve Spagnuolo needs to be done on the field, Mathieu can make it happen.

1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, MO – FEBRUARY 05: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with the Super Bowl MVP trophy during the Kansas City Chiefs Victory Parade on February 5, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)

“When you become the NFL’s first “half a billion” man, you come in atop a list like this. Patrick Mahomes, in just two years as a starting quarterback in the NFL, has both an MVP and a Super Bowl title. He can make any throw from any platform, and can find you anywhere on the field, even if he is not looking at you. He is a joy to watch every time he is on the field – even if he is playing against your team – and an easy pick for the top quarterback in the league heading into 2020.”

Mahomes is No. 1 and all is right in the world. The team at Touchdown Wire hit the nail on the head. If his contract didn’t spell it out, the other accolades do the trick. Mahomes is the best player in football and it isn’t even close.