The Indianapolis Colts have signed cornerback Marvell Tell and safety Khari Willis to rookie contracts, the team announced Monday.
Willis, who was drafted in the fourth round, was a top target for the Colts. They traded up 20 spots to get the Michigan State product, giving their two fourth-round picks to the Oakland Raiders in exchange.
The Colts liked Willis’ game so much they were willing to draft him in the third round. When he was available on Day 3, they didn’t want to leave it up to chance.
Tell, who was one of the Colts’ fifth-round picks, will be making the switch from safety to cornerback. The Colts are hoping his elite athleticism and length will help him turn into an eventual asset in the secondary.
The Colts were able to grab Tell in the fifth round after they added the selection in the trade with the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the draft.
With Willis and Tell having signed their rookie contracts, the Colts now have seven of their 10 draft picks under contract.
The only players left to sign their deals are cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, wide receiver Parris Campbell and linebacker Bobby Okereke.
