KANSAS CITY, Mo. — New Chiefs general manager made his trade just hours before the team’s first full training camp practice, sending linebacker D.J. Alexander to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis.
The Kansas City Chiefs acquired Seattle Seahawks linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis in exchange for linebacker D.J. Alexander on July 28, 2017. (Photo courtesy Seahawks.com)
Pierre-Louis, a 6-0, 230-pound outside linebacker from Boston College, was a fourth-round draft for the Seahawks in 2014. He picked up 13 tackles in seven games for Seattle last season.
The fourth-year veteran totaled 43 combined tackles with a pass defended in 34 games over the past three seasons. He played 298 snaps last year, 71 on defense and 227 on special teams.
Pierre-Louis earned all-ACC honors in 2013 for Boston College. He started all 13 games as a freshman and finished his career with 360 total tackles and eight sacks along 23 tackles for a loss.
Chiefs fans saw Pierre-Louis at Arrowhead Stadium n last year’s preseason opener, picking up two tackles and pass defended.
Alexander, a fifth-round pick for the Chiefs in 2015, excelled on special teams in his first two NFL seasons. He earned Pro Bowl honors last season as a special teams player.
He earned his first significant defensive playing time last season following Derrick Johnson’s Achilles injury. Alexander started the week 14 against Tennessee, picking up a career-high four tackles. He played 48 snaps on defense a year ago along with 358 on special teams.
The move provides the Chiefs with adjustment in their depth among the linebacker group. The Chiefs believe Johnson fully recovered and ready for the season opener, and the team returns both Ramik Wilson and Justin March-Lillard. The club also added Ukeme Eligwe in this spring’s draft, and recently re-signed veteran Josh Mauga.
Pierre-Louis brings a run-oriented defensive option for the Chiefs at outside linebacker. The team’s rush defense struggled last season without Justin Houston, the team’s best all-around outside linebacker and a strong run defender.
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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