Sept. 19, 2015, South Bend, IN; Notre Dame cornerback KeiVarae Russell (6) during the second half against Georgia Tech at Notre Dame Stadium. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs traded their second of two second-round picks (59th overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for Tampa Bay’s third-round pick (74th overall) and fourth-round pick (106th overall).
With a move into the third round after starting the draft without a third-round pick, the Chiefs selected Notre Dame cornerback KeiVarae Russell, who became the second straight defensive player the Chiefs selected in the draft.
“He could’ve gone higher than where he did,” coach Andy Reid said of Russell. “But we got him here and we’re excited to add him to the mix.”
The 5-11, 196-pound Russell, a native of Everett, Wash., arrives with plenty of experience in a press-man scheme, having played in it at Notre Dame.
He was ruled academically ineligible in 2014 before returning in 2015 where he started 11 games before dealing with adversity yet again, missing the final two games with a fractured fibula.
“He’s been through a few things at Notre Dame,” Reid said, “and worked though those things.”
Russell finished his career at Notre Dame with 169 tackles (125 solo), five interceptions, 12 passes defensed and 1 ½ sacks.
Russell, who ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at his Pro day workout, said he interacted with the Chiefs after his Pro Day, but contact afterwards was minimal.
“They weren’t one of my top five as far as interest,” said Russell, his voice cracking with raw emotion in a conference call. “When they called me, I was shocked, man, I was really shocked. I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m fortunate and blessed right now.”
Russell joins a cornerback corps consisting of Marcus Peters, Phillip Gaines, Steven Nelson, Jamell Fleming, Marcus Cooper, Keith Lewis, Deveron Carr.
With Fleming expected to move to safety, Russell bolster depth at the position and he should have no problem acclimating to defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s scheme.
“I love to press, man,” Russell said. “That’s what I do.”
With the third round wrapped up, the Chiefs are set to enter Saturday, the final day of the draft, with three fourth-round picks, two fifth-round picks and two sixth-round picks.
CHIEFS’ DRAFT PICKS
|
ROUND |
PICK |
OVERALL |
|
2 |
6 – DL Chris Jones | 37* |
|
3 |
28 – CB KeiVarae Russell |
74** |
|
4 |
7 |
105* |
|
4 |
8 |
106** |
|
4 |
28 |
126 |
|
5 |
25 |
162*** |
|
5 |
28 |
165 |
|
6 |
3 |
178* |
| 6 | 28 |
203 |
* Acquired via trade with the San Francisco 49ers
*** Acquired via trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*** Acquired via trade that sent safety Kelcie McCray to Seattle Seahawks in 2015
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for The Topeka Capital-Journal and ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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