In his final season at Texas A&M in 2011, Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill had a favorite wide receiver by the name of Ryan Swope. It just so happens that Swope is now a highly-regarded wide receiver prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft - and the Dolphins could still use some help at receiver.
Team | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
54. Miami Dolphins | Ryan Swope, Texas A&M | WR | 6'0" | 205 | SR |
Kevin Nogle: "The Dolphins added two need positions with their first two picks, cornerback Desmond Trufant and defensive end Damontre Moore. Now, they look to add a little bit of a luxury pick that still falls in as a need as well. "Swope’s ridiculous 4.34 second 40-yard dash was the second fastest time at the Scouting Combine and tied with Tavon Austin. Bringing in another speed threat to go along with free agent signing Mike Wallace could add another dimension to Miami’s offense. Of course, there’s also the benefit of adding Swope into his college head coach/Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman’s offense and teaming him up with college quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the NFL. "There are concerns about Swope’s catching ability as he seems to body catch more passes than he should, but he does seem to catch everything. He also has some medical concerns, having multiple concussions at Texas A&M. "There’s a chance Swope could be still on the board with the Dolphins’ first third round pick, but with his speed, that’s not a risk I was willing to take. I want Swope on the Dolphins’ roster, and I would rather reach a little for him here than end up missing him before pick 77 rolls around. The Dolphins now have eight remaining picks, two of which are in the third round, to find an offensive lineman, their only real need still not filled." |
Here's our own Dan Kadar to break down the pick:
While Swope timed incredibly well, he doesn't always play up to those numbers. Taking a player like Swope in the second round is the danger of falling in love with combine stats. It's a little different when Miami does it, though, because of the Sherman/Tannehill connection. In 2011 with Tannehill at A&M, Swope had 89 receptions for 1,207 yards and 11 touchdowns. For just about every team, including maybe the Dolphins, Justin Hunter would be a much better pick. He's the closest thing in this draft to A.J. Green. But Swope for Miami does make some sense.
Next up at Noon ET: the Green Bay Packers and Acme Packing Company are on the clock.
Top 5 players remaining
# | Player | Pos. | College | Ht. | Wt. |
37 | John Jenkins | DT | Georgia | 6'4" | 346 |
39 | Jamie Collins | LB | Southern Miss | 6'3" | 250 |
40 | Gavin Escobar * | TE | San Diego State | 6'6" | 254 |
43 | Khaseem Greene | LB | Rutgers | 6'1" | 241 |
51 | Justin Hunter * | WR | Tennessee | 6'4" | 196 |
2013 SB Nation NFL writers' mock draft results
Dolphins picks
Rd | # | Team | Player | Pos. | College |
1 | 12 | Miami Dolphins | Desmond Trufant | CB | Washington |
2 | 42 | Miami Dolphins | Damontre Moore | DE | Texas A&M |
2 | 54 | Miami Dolphins | Ryan Swope | WR | Texas A&M |