Scott Pioli would draft Tyson Jackson all over again

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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ll-over-again/



Scott Pioli would draft Tyson Jackson all over again
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on April 17, 2011, 1:21 PM EDT


Before Peter King put Tyson Jackson third in his Sports Illustrated Mock Draft two years ago, no one thought Jackson was even a top-15 pick. And wouldn’t you know: Jackson went third to the Chiefs in a stunning choice.

Jackson was supposed to be a safe, if unflashy building block to Kansas City’s 3-4 defense. Perhaps an answer to New England’s Ty Warren. It hasn’t worked out that way so far, but Chiefs G.M. Scott Pioli said he would make the same pick all over again.

“I’d take the same player again,” Pioli said this week via Bob Gretz.com. “Absolutely. Absolutely.”

Hmmm. We suppose Pioli has to say that, but it defies belief. Jackson only started three games last year. The same draft class included defenders like B.J. Raji, Brian Cushing, and Brian Orakpo in the top 15 picks.

We know sack numbers aren’t a big deal for 3-4 defensive ends, but Jackson has one in two seasons. He was arguably the fourth best end on his team last year behind Wallace Gilberry, Glenn Dorsey, and Shaun Smith.

“I know the jury is still out [on Jackson]; we all need to see that,” Pioli said. ”Everyone in our organization is pretty confident still that Tyson is going to be a good player.”

We need to see it soon. Jackson isn’t a Vernon Gholston-type bust, but there’s no spinning the fact a lot more is expected out of a top-3 pick.