Oregon State linebacker D.J. Alexander (4) warms up before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs filled depth in the final three rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The two picks in the fifth-round were used on inside linebacker D.J. Alexander (172nd overall) and tight end James O’Shaughnessy (173rd overall).
The Chiefs finished with the selection of defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches in the sixth round (217th overall) and seventh round resulted in wide receiver Da’Ron Brown (233rd overall).
The 6-2, 233-pound Alexander, who played at Oregon State, is the second inside linebacker selected in the draft. He joins Georgia’s Ramik Wilson, who was selected in the fourth round.
Alexander appeared in 44 career games at Oregon State, totaling 209 tackles (120 solo) and 8 ½ sacks. But his mid-to-low 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash proved appealing to the Chiefs.
“This kid has outstanding speed,” area scout Trey Koziol said. “He’s got some rare physical traits just getting from Point A to Point B on the field.”
Alexander revealed during a media conference call he had a predraft visit with the Chiefs, and “fell in love” with the area, and getting drafted made his situation better.
“I had a good feeling it could happen and they could pick me up,” Alexander said. “But you never know with the draft. Strange things happen, so you have to hold on and wait for that call.”
Alexander will compete for a spot alongside Wilson, Derrick Johnson, Josh Mauga, James-Michael Johnson and JoJo Dickson.
The 6-4, 245-pound O’Shaughnessy joins the Chiefs out of Northern Illinois where he was a second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection.
He appeared in 46 games and recorded 67 catches for 1,170 yards and 14 touchdowns, and now looks forward to contributing with the Chiefs.
“I’m ecstatic, I’m excited, I’m happy,” O’Shaughnessy said during a media conference call. “It’s a mixed bag of emotions right now. I’m just really appreciative to have this opportunity, really appreciative to be involved with such a great organization.”
Kansas City’s tight end group after the draft shapes out with Travis Kelce, Demetrius Harris, Richard Gordon, Adam Schiltz, Brandon Barden and O’Shaughnessy.
The Chiefs bolstered the defensive line with the addition of Nunez-Roches, who played at Southern Mississippi under three different position coaches.
The 6-2, 307-pound Nunez-Roches can play defensive tackle or end, and that versatility caught the Chiefs’ eye.
“I think this guy has got a lot of upside,” said Dom Green, Chiefs assistant director of college scouting. “He missed the 2013 season with a foot injury, but he came back really well this year, played really well for them. When you cut on the tape, to see his motor and after all the things he’s been through there, all the adversity, he plays the game you want it to be played.”
Nunez-Roches finished his college career with 105 tackles (57 solo), four sacks, a pass defensed and a forced fumble.
The Chiefs currently have defensive ends Allen Bailey, Mike DeVito, Mike Catapano, Vaughn Martin on the roster, in addition to defensive tackles Dontari Poe, Jaye Howard, Nick Williams, Jerel Worthy, Hebron Fangupo.
The 6-0, 205-pound Brown played at Northern Illinois, appearing in 55 games. He finished his career with 155 catches for 2,295 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Brown joins a crowded situation at the wide receiver position with the Chiefs having Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Albert Wilson, Junior Hemingway, Frankie Hammond Jr., Armon Binns, Fred Williams, Da’Rick Rogers, Corbin Louks and 2015 third-round pick Chris Conley.
But he’s appreciative for the opportunity to compete for a roster spot.
“It’s an unreal feeling,” Brown said during a media conference call. “It’s a blessing come true, a dream come true.”
CHIEFS’ DRAFT PICKS
|
Round |
Player |
Overall |
|
1 |
CB Marcus Peters, Washington |
|
|
2 |
OL Mitch Morse, Missouri |
49 |
|
3 |
WR Chris Conley, Georgia |
76 |
|
3 |
CB Steven Nelson, Oregon State |
98 * |
|
4 |
LB Ramik Wilson, Georgia |
118 |
|
5 |
LB D.J. Alexander, Oregon State |
172 * |
|
5 |
TE James O’Shaughnessy, Illinois State |
173 * |
|
6 |
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches |
217 * |
|
7 |
WR Da’Ron Brown, Northern Illinois |
223 |
* Compensatory
—–
Herbie Teope is the lead beat writer and reporter for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter:
—–
