Kansas City Chiefs: Re-Drafting biggest misses of past decade
By Cullen Jekel
Draft Class: 2016
Player Drafted: KeiVarae Russell, Cornerback, Notre Dame, Round 3, Pick 74
Re-Draft: Joe Thuney, Offensive Guard, North Carolina State, Round 3, Pick 78
KeiVarae Russell never played a meaningful game for the Chiefs. The giant whiff of a draft pick was waived on September 14, 2016, just before the start of the regular season.
A day later, he latched on with the Bengals, for whom he’s appeared in 20 games over three seasons, including one start. For his career, he has 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, two passes defended, and one interception.
Four picks later, the New England Patriots selected guard Joe Thuney out of North Carolina State. While he’s not made a Pro Bowl or been named All-Pro, the two-time Super Bowl champion has started 48 out of 48 games since being drafted. That’s extremely consistent production, especially when compared to a guy who never even played for the team that drafted him.
Other 2016 draft nuggets:
- Nine picks after Russell, the Jets drafted Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins, who has 12.5 sacks in three seasons, including a career-high seven in 2018.
- With their fourth-round pick, the Chiefs drafted guard Parker Ehinger out of Cincinnati. In two seasons in the NFL, Ehinger appeared in six games. Ten picks later, the Falcons selected Minnesota linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who has appeared in 43 games since, collecting a total of 234 tackles to go with 3.5 sacks.
- In the fifth round, the Chiefs drafted Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan, who never played for the team. Two picks later, the Texans drafted Clemson defensive tackle D.J. Reader, an anchor on their defensive line who’s started 37 games.