Kansas City, Mo. ? A gifted linebacker who plummeted from first-round projection to third-round reality and insists he doesn’t even follow the NFL could be Kansas City’s most intriguing draft pick of 2011.

Justin Houston, a pass-rushing dynamo at Georgia, is also one of the biggest gambles the normally conservative Scott Pioli ever took.

Many evaluators had pegged Houston as a late first-round pick until reports citing unnamed sources indicated there may have been a problem with a drug test during the NFL combine in February. But there he sat when the Chiefs picked 70th in the third round Friday night, and they decided to roll the dice.

K.C. also took Rodney Hudson (center, Florida State) in the second round and Allen Bailey (defensive end, Miami) in the third round on Friday.

“I was honest with them, told them it was a mistake I made and I’m putting it behind me,” said the 6-foot-2, 285-pound Houston. “I think they trusted me, and they took a chance, and I’m going to make them proud for taking that chance.”

The Statesboro, Ga., native had 10 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss last year.

If Houston plays with the talent and drive that once made him a top prospect, the Chiefs will have the complement to pass-rush specialist Tamba Hali they so desperately need.

“There’s certainly risk here,” Pioli said. “He had a situation that is why he was available when he was available.”