Chiefs banked on rookie returns to reach Super Bowl again

(AP) — The challenge of sustained success in the NFL relies in part on the draft, where good teams are forced to pick last. 

Well, the Chiefs turned all those late-round picks into crucial pieces in their Super Bowl run, right through a pair of seventh-rounders who made crucial plays in the AFC title game. 

It starts in the defensive backfield, where four rookies were on the field at the same time last Sunday night. 

Two had interceptions. 

Another rookie had a sack and yet another has been their leading running back. 

Given that kind of return on the Chiefs’ rookie investments, it’s not that surprising that they are playing in their third Super Bowl in four years.