KC Chiefs: Ranking every first-round pick since 2000

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 25: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs escapes a tackle attempt by Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on October 25, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 25: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs escapes a tackle attempt by Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on October 25, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 13: Tyson Jackson #94 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs through the tunnel during player introductions before a game against the Oakland Raiders October 13, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 13: Tyson Jackson #94 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs through the tunnel during player introductions before a game against the Oakland Raiders October 13, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images) /

12-13. Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson

It feels right to put these two defensive linemen together. Maybe that’s unfair, but given the production they provided for the Chiefs in proportion to where they were drafted, that’s just the way it is.

In the 2008 NFL Draft, the Chiefs would select LSU defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey at No. 5 overall. The following year, the Chiefs had an even higher pick at No. 3 and turned in the draft card reading Tyson Jackson’s name after he also starred at LSU. Together, they should have formed a dynamic tandem along the Chiefs’ defensive front to wreak havoc for years to come—especially given the early draft investments made on each. Instead, Chiefs Kingdom will largely shrug when asked about either player.

To their credit, neither player flamed out entirely. Both ended up long-term starters at their respective positions for the Chiefs and even other franchises in following years. Dorsey would go on to make 65 starts in 66 games for K.C. Jackson would start 10 less games but played in approximately 10 more. Dorsey had 7 sacks, Jackson had 9. Even with Tamba Hali alongside them for years, both players failed to make much of an impact.

Dorsey would go on to play four more years in San Francisco after leaving K.C. Jackson would play three more in Atlanta. But the tenures of both players are largely forgettable, which is the very opposite of what you want when you take defensive lineman within the top 3 and 5 picks of consecutive draft classes.