KeiVarae

Russell

The Saints also added cornerback KeiVarae Russell. Amukamara was signed to the Cardinals practice squad last year but never got called up to the active roster. He was previously signed and then cut by the Raiders prior to landing in Arizona. At 32 years old, the former first-round pick will likely play a rotational for New Orleans.

Amukamara, a 2011 first-round pick, spent last year on the Cardinals’ practice squad. The Saints also worked out free agent KeiVarae Russell this week.

The No. 74 overall pick of the draft, Russell was a shocking release from the Chiefs. Russell is a top-notch athlete with typical size for a corner (5-foot-11, 192 pounds), but was simply never that good for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He also broke his leg last fall. The Bengals, who have made a habit out of developing other team’s misfit toys, will try to see if they can get Russell’s career on track.

Russell was the No. 74 overall pick in this year’s draft. It’s awfully early to be giving up on such a high draft pick, but Russell must not have been showing much of anything this summer. They’ll likely try to sneak him back on the practice squad. At 5'11/192, Russell ran 4.49 with a 38 1/2-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump.

He signed just in time for the Chiefs’ three-day rookie minicamp, which opens on Saturday. Russell was the 12th cornerback selected in last week’s draft. He’ll open the year behind starters Marcus Peters and Phillip Gaines.

Russell (5'11/192) started three seasons for the Irish, amassing seven career tackles for loss and five interceptions. A solid-not-spectacular college player, Russell’s stock received a jolt when he ran 4.49 with a 38 1/2-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump at Notre Dame’s Pro Day. That was despite Russell breaking his right tibia last November. Russell’s combination of adequate size and high-end athleticism make him worthy of a multi-year NFL look. He’s a press-man corner with some big-league traits.