Known across the nation as a productive starter at the cornerback position, Notre Dame’s KeiVarae Russell has the instincts to potentially be productive in Cover 2 at the next level, but his weaknesses in man coverage will undoubtedly give teams pause about drafting him before the third day of the draft.

As we get closer and closer to the 2016 NFL Draft, the volume of players I’d like to provide you with at least some analysis of looms large. Enter our new mini-scouting reports, laid out very simply with strengths, weaknesses, scheme fit, and a general overview of the player, before finally offering you a round grade. These reports will be brief, informative and to the point, covering second and third day prospects in the upcoming draft. I’ll continue to produce lengthier reports with more visual features for players expected to be taken higher in the draft.

CB KeiVarae Russell

College: Notre Dame
Year: Junior
Birth Year: 1993
Height: 5-11
Weight: 192
Arm Length: 31 5/8
Hand Size: 10″

Combine Results

40 Time: 4.44*
Bench: 17
Vertical: 38.5*
Broad: 132″*
3-Cone: 6.89*
Short Shuttle: 4.09*
60-yard Shuttle: N/A

* All testing was done at the Notre Dame pro day, but he was able to compete in the bench press at the Combine.

Pros

Tested off the charts at his pro day after being limited to just the bench press at the Combine. Showed the deep speed to stick on the hip pocket of the receiver when running vertically. Has experience playing both inside in the nickel and outside in Off, Press, and Zone. Jumps underneath routes with quick read/react skills. At the catch point, he has the aggressiveness and timing to consistently make a play on the ball. One of the toughest cornerbacks that I watched on tape with his physicality and willingness to stick his nose in run support. Started every game that he played in despite playing the latter part of 2015 with a broken fibula.

Cons

Stiff as a board with his tall backpedal and lack of fluidity in his change of direction. Impatient at the LOS in press coverage as he won’t hesitate to abandon his technique and grab the receiver’s jersey if off-balance or a step behind the receiver. Love his aggressive mentality, but he goes “all in” each time a receiver makes a subtle fake or double move. Uncomfortable playing with his back to the ball as he fails to locate the ball over his shoulder without maintaining a feel for his man. Willing to sacrifice his body in run support, but his technique as an open-field tackler is mediocre at best. Lunges too early and got bailed out by shoestring tackles after making the easy tackles look difficult. Missed all of 2014 due to academic dishonesty.

Analysis

I acknowledge the fact that Russell is an instinctive, physical, and aggressive cornerback, but with the combination of his poor technique in Press, sloppy, sluggish footwork in Off, and inconsistency as an open-field tackler, I just do not see the hype that is attached to his draft stock. At the catch point, he is an unquestioned playmaker, but more often than not, he fails to get to that point when he struggles to turn and find the football over his shoulder consistently. A move to safety is understandable, but I would worry about him being too inconsistent as an open-field tackler to play there long-term despite his read/react skills when keeping everything in front of him. His play strength and aggressiveness show the skill-set of a press corner at the next level, but until he becomes more comfortable and patient with his technique at the LOS, his ideal fit would be to get drafted by a team that implements Cover 2, giving him the chance to potentially crack a rotation.

Grade: 6th Round