Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M

I've been keeping my mouth shut about this guy because I really wanted to draft him with SF in our mock, but he just went (two picks before mine!), so I don't have to keep it a secret any longer. What do you guys think about him as a 3rd round pick?

6'0", 206 lbs.

40 yard dash: 4.34 (2nd among WRs), 10 yard split: 1.47 (3rd), bench reps: 16 (8th), vertical: 37" (5th), broad jump: 10'5" (7th), 3 cone: 6.78 (6th)

That 40 yard dash is only behind the ridiculous 4.27 from Marquise Goodwin, and is tied with Tavon Austin's. His 10 yard split was the 3rd fastest, a hair after those guys. Swope is 20 pounds heavier than Goodwin, and 30 pounds heavier than Austin.

What you won't want to hear about him is that he mostly played slot in college and he's generally considered a slot guy for the NFL. And we've got a good slot guy in Sanders and just lost Wallace, so it makes sense for us to look for an outside guy. Swope's not big, but he's not small either, and he's built more like a running back than what you'd expect from a slot guy. He has good balance, plays tough, and obviously has quickness as well as deep speed. He'd make a great slot guy, but I don't see what would prevent him from playing outside.

Here's a good (gasp!) scouting report from bleacherreport.com that I just found, and it summarizes my feelings pretty perfectly:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ting-report-texas-am-wide-receiver-ryan-swope

Here are the bullet points: (+) Great physical tools, great hands, great blocker, good routes, high character, high football IQ, scheme versatile, can play inside, will likely be able to play outside. (-) Underachieves after the catch, history of concussions, doesn't seem as fast as he times.

He looks good after the catch to me, but I admittedly did not watch that much film on him. Only what's below.

Here's a quote Steeler fans should like: "As with most slot receivers, Swope is excellent at getting his head around quickly to locate the ball in flight. He is very smooth going up for balls over his head and his leap timing is impeccable. He is not afraid to go to full extension to make a catch with a defender bearing down on him to deliver a big hit. Even though he primarily works the short routes, Swope is very good at high-pointing the ball and he has outside receiver body control in the air." Height isn't half as important as people make it out to be. Steve Smith (CAR) is not only short for a receiver, he's short for a grown-up. But he plays like he's 6'8". And anyone above 5'2" could have knocked down that fade TD Larry FitzGerald caught over Ike Taylor in SB43. It's about timing and coordination, not an inch here or there.

Another Steeler-friendly point: not only is he good at finding soft spots in the defense, he also has experience playing with a scrambling quarterback, and is great at adjusting on the fly and getting open after a play breaks down.

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agsMmAL_nn8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCosoGT0beM

Film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGGSCVUqybg Auburn & Mississippi State

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYeOhvcGdew Alabama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vna4XQXtVEk Arkansas

Really, the only thing that worries me is the fact that he's had more than one concussion. He's fine for now, but if he gets another here and there he might be done by the time he's 25. Or maybe he won't get any.

Thoughts?

 

I watched him a few times at Texas A&M and Swope is a good receiver very good hands I didn't know he was that fast until the combine. I would like for the Steelers to draft him in the middle rounds maybe in the 4th rd if he's still available.

 

I'm more or less split on the two of them, but for SF I wanted Swope's skillset. For us I'm not sure, but I think Swope would be more exciting. He seems more fluid to me than Stills. I just like the way he moves better. Also, almost every place I've seen has Stills rated higher, so I figure we'll have a better chance at Swope.

 

I was trying to keep quiet about stills, but lo and behold, look who scooped him up on me... I've got 2 more wr targets, but for obvious reasons I'm going to stay quiet for now

 

Stills and Swope are 2 WRs for the mid rounds that I have liked for a while now. I think I'd be happy with them at WR if they don't go WR in the first few rounds.

 

The circle of life.

 

I've been actually watching Swope a lot lately, and I love his toughness. I wish he played as fast as his 40 time, but he's fast enough.

One thing that really bothers me about him is the scouting reports I've read on him. I've seen him compared to Wes Welker, Jordan Shipley, Jordy Nelson, and Eric Decker... How frickin lazy can you be? And how are Welker and Jordy Nelson ANYTHING alike?

 

He is very smooth going up for balls over his head and his leap timing is impeccable. He is not afraid to go to full extension to make a catch with a defender bearing down on him to deliver a big hit.

Like this quote??? Man, I freaking love this quote! Great hands, fights for the ball, extends for the catch. Sounds like the antithesis of another speedy receiver we had here in the not too distant past.

 

i like swope. tough as nails and will make a team better. another in his mold, i'd love to have with swope is josh boyce. these guys may not be big wr's, but they would both make your team a whole lot better, in all aspects of the position.

though i won't change my thinking on woods either. or harper. give me two of any combo of the 4 and let's rock. there is so much talent at the wr position, i would not hesitate doubling up at a couple of positions that could help us short term and in the long run.

 

should be there in the second rd , not sure will be available in the 3rd

 

I noticed that too, and thought about including it in my post, but didn't want everyone to get sidetracked. It's nothing new. It happens all the time, and to multiple positions. At least this time the obnoxiously inaccurate but homo-racial comparisons are getting some attention of their own. I've noticed a lot of people complaining about how stupid it is.

I remember once years ago, some pundit was talking about a white college receiver coming into the league, and he said, "He's sort of got that Wayne Chrebet / Ed McCaffery style of play." I was only a kid, but I flipped. It's not that I think these guys are being racist in the normal, mean-spirited way. It's more like racist in the stupid way. Chrebet and McCaffrey play nothing alike. You might as well compare Michael Vick and Byron Leftwich. Intentional or not, mean or not, you just exposed yourself as someone who judges people by race, AND as someone who knows jack squat about football.

I've also seen Brandon Stokley in there with the Swope comparisons. I believe the exact quote was, "He's like a bigger, faster Brandon Stokley." Ummm, sounds to me like you don't think he's that much like Brandon Stokley at all. The guy's point was that they are both good at finding open spots in defenses. So why don't you just say he's good at finding open spots, or spend a minute thinking about black receivers that fit the description. Considering you'll be expanding your pool of guys to compare him to by about 80,000 percent, you just might find someone that fits the bill a little better.

Wes Welker is the name thrown around the most with Swope. I get that Swope played slot in college, but they really aren't that similar in other ways. And most people agree Swope has the skillset to play outside, he just hasn't done so yet. The two have things in common like good hands and toughness, but Swope is like 3 inches taller and .3 tenths faster (a lot). Are you telling me there isn't a single black receiver out there that can catch and is tough and is closer to Swope's size and speed?

Say guys, doesn't Jerome Bettis remind you of a slower, fatter, louder Barry Sanders? I know those are some major differences, but there's still something that makes me think they are a lot alike. I can't quite put my finger on it...

 

sounds similar to casey hampton being the fatter,slower,lazier woodl................ ahh, nevermind.