Predicting most productive draft pick for Kansas City Chiefs
By Nick Floyd
While Chris Jones should be productive from the beginning, he will most certainly split time along the defensive line with the current players on the roster. The real money comes on the third round pick of the Chiefs in KeiVarae Russell from Notre Dame.
Russell is the type of cornerback that defensive coordinator Bob Sutton loves. While a little undersized at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, he is around the same size as reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Marcus Peters. Prompting what could be a rather interesting pairing of the two come this season. He also drew some interesting comparisons when he was tested by the guys over at ESPN sports science.
Perhaps Russell’s biggest flaw comes in the fact he broke his leg at the end of 2015, it might cause the rookie some problems down the road. However, as the guys in Sports Science noted, he does not seem to have lost a step because of it. As with all rookies, there could be some mistakes here and there as he adjusts to the speed of professional football.
His upside potential is incredibly high and should compete, and more than likely win, the starting job next to Marcus Peters.
Currently the Chiefs have Marcus Cooper and Phillip Gaines that could be ahead of Russell on the depth chart at the start of the off-season. However, Cooper has slowly been pushed out of a starting role, a far cry from the once great waiver wire pickup Dorsey had in him. Cooper has regressed for sure, but it might be possible he turns it around, and once again becomes a viable player.
If no progress can be made and reverse the path he is on, he might find himself a victim of the dreaded player cuts in August.
Next: Putting it together