So I'm reading Sam Mellinger's column at the Kansas City Star this morning and he has this line about the Chiefs picking Dontari Poe with the 11th overall selection:
This may be the most instantly and universally despised first-round pick in Chiefs history, and that's saying something. Even players that eventually turned into busts were given more of a chance by fans and media than what we saw in the minutes following Poe's selection.
And right away I think that's pushing it. Is Dontari Poe really less popular of a selection than Tyson Jackson, the third overall pick, back in 2009?
As it turns out, Sam isn't so crazy. Or less crazy, if you will.
I went back and checked on our approval polls immediately after the Chiefs four first rounds picks under GM Scott Pioli. The numbers aren't scientific, of course (unless you're a news organization looking to interview me. Then, yes, they are scientific.)
Check out the results in this table:
Year | Pick | Votes | Approve | Do Not Approve | Not Sure |
2012 | Dontari Poe | 3,277 | 34% | 34% | 31% |
2011 | Jonathan Baldwin | 1,697 | 74% | 7% | 17% |
2010 | Eric Berry | 2,653 | 94% | 3% | 2% |
2009 | Tyson Jackson | 918 | 41% | 37% | 21% |
Less Chiefs fans approved of Dontari Poe but more people did not approve of Tyson Jackson.
Also of note: Eric Berry is a badass.
Our approval ratings of a particular pick don't mean a guy will be a good or bad player but I find the reactions to the picks pretty interesting. Here's to being wrong this year...