Pioli says jury is still out on Jackson

Last August, we passed along an item where some stat evaluators had basically labeled 2009 No. 3-overall pick Tyson Jackson a bust. And apparently, the 2010 season didn’t do much for people to change their opinion of the Kansas City Chiefs defensive end.

Despite the fact that Jackson lost his starting job last season to street free agent Shaun Smith, GM Scott Pioli insists that he doesn’t believe he’s a total waste of time.

“I think the jury’s still out on that draft and time will tell, but I think looking at it in its entirety is important to do,” Pioli said. “I think looking at drafts through a very, very narrow scope of things can be damaging.

“What I would say is your perception of it is that it’s not a productive draft, but I look back to that draft and think we do have a good player in Tyson Jackson. I know the jury is still out; we all need to see that. Everyone in our organization is pretty confident still that Tyson is going to be a good player.”

Jackson has played in 28 games over two years and has just one sack and 62 tackles. Granted, the role of the defensive end in the 3-4 is not to be a pass rusher, but he didn’t lose his job because he was kicking ass and taking names out there.

So, if Pioli had it all to do over again, would he draft Jackson again at the three slot?

“I’d take the same player again,” Pioli said. “Absolutely. Absolutely.”

We call bullshit.