Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tyson Jackson (94) before their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs 3-4 defensive end Tyson Jackson is one of the more intriguing second-tier free agents, and he should get a nice payday this offseason after recording 33 tackles and four sacks last season. Jackson benefited from defensive coordinator Bob Sutton and the play of Mike DeVito and breakout star Dontari Poe on the defensive line, as he was disruptive against the pass and solid as usual in run defense. I still think the Chiefs will end up re-signing Jackson, but he’s netting significant interest right now.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and Cleveland Browns also have interest in the Chiefs DE.
It’s interesting to see the Falcons and Browns on that list, since the Browns are already fine on the defensive line and the Falcons re-signed Corey Peters and are reportedly close to re-signing their other impending free agent defensive tackle to a three-year contract. The Dolphins, however, make perfect sense as a landing spot for Jackson, who would start as a defensive tackle in their 4-3 scheme. Both Randy Starks and Paul Soliai have been great for the Dolphins over the past several years, but they are set to leave in free agency and need to be replaced.