The Kansas City Chiefs selected Rice CB Phillip Gaines with their third-round pick, 87th overall, in the 2014 NFL Draft.
In five years at Rice, Gaines played in 52-career games and started in 40, totaling 134 tackles, 41 assists, two sacks, four INTs, 38 PBUs, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
In his senior season, Gaines played in 13 games and totaled 24 tackles, 12 assists, four INTs, nine PBUs and one fumble recovery. His efforts earned him All C-USA honors from league coaches for a second-consecutive season.
View photos of the Chiefs third round draft pick, cornerback, Phillip Gaines.
Gaines was targeted 40 times in the regular season and allowed just 13 receptions, while defending 13 others (4 interceptions, 9 PBUs). His four INTs led the team and he tied for the team lead with 13 passes defended and was second with the nine PBUs. Gaines' 38-career pass breakups are a school record.
"I'm speechless," Gaines said, after being selected by the Chiefs. "I really don't know what to say. This is beyond a blessing. My family is from Philadelphia, so we're huge Andy Reid fans, and I've seen the Chiefs scheme and everything, so, I'm just ready to go."
Once the draft's third round was finished, Chiefs general manager John Dorsey explained what made Gaines the best fit for the Chiefs.
"As we were assessing the board, he was the highest-rated player on the draft board, as it was built," Dorsey said.
"He has all the physical dimensions we ask for in a corner. He's long and he's fast and he has long arms. He plays and tracks the deep ball well. I'd say there is still a lot of upside with him. (He has) ringing endorsements from the scouts, our coaches and (Rice's) coaching staff. I think you had to go in that direction."
The next direction the Chiefs target in the draft will be unveiled on Saturday, when the team is slated for the 24th pick of the fourth round, 124th overall.
