Kansas City Chiefs: Every First Round Draft Pick Since 2000
EVERY CHIEFS FIRST ROUND PICK – 2009 NFL DRAFT: TYSON JACKSON
Arguably one of the biggest first-round busts for the Kansas City Chiefs was Tyson Jackson, who the franchise selected third overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. The biggest storyline with Jackson was his contract. This was before the NFL had a cap limit for rookies in the league and Jackson’s contract was proof as to why that should be the case.
For those who don’t remember, Tyson Jackson was given a five-year deal worth $57 million and $31 million guaranteed. Even the best pass rushers in the game weren’t getting deals like that and Jackson got that contract without taking a single snap in the NFL.
To the surprise of no one, Jackson didn’t live up to that contract. He totaled just nine sacks in five seasons and never looked like a third overall pick. Jackson was decent against the run, but no one would say he was good enough at doing so to earn $31 million guaranteed.
After his five years in Kansas City were up, the Chiefs did not opt to keep Tyson Jackson in a Chiefs uniform. He was signed to a five-year deal worth $25 million by the Atlanta Falcons and only made it through three of the five years before being released by the Birds.
When looking at the Chiefs’ first-round picks, Tyson Jackson would definitely be up there in the biggest busts category. He probably shouldn’t have been taken third overall, but the Chiefs were in their first year with Scott Pioli running things, so there’s your answer.