Jeremy Maclin will wear #19 for the Chiefs

Jeremy Maclin on the day he was introduced as a member of the Chiefs

The Chiefs were fined and will lose two draft picks by the NFL for a violation of the league’s anti-tampering policy for having improper contact with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin before the start of last year’s free-agent signing period.

“While we respect Commissioner [Roger] Goodell and the process, we believe that the penalties proposed in this case are inconsistent with discipline enforced in similar matters — particularly given the league’s inconsistent communication of its policies on contact with potential free agents,” Chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. “As an organization, we take great care to conduct ourselves with integrity and operate within the guidelines of the NFL. We have been fully cooperative and transparent with the league in this matter, and we are disappointed with the league’s decision. I want to make it clear that I fully support the leadership of both Coach Reid and John Dorsey.”

The Chiefs will lose their third-round draft pick this year and their sixth-round choice in 2017. The Chiefs were also fined $250,000. Coach Andy Reid was fined $75,000, and general manager John Dorsey was fined $25,000

The Chiefs, Reid and Dorsey may appeal the penalties.