Grading Arizona Cardinals general manager’s record drafting receivers
By Sion Fawkes
![GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: J.J. Nelson #14 of the Arizona Cardinals attempts to make a catch over Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: J.J. Nelson #14 of the Arizona Cardinals attempts to make a catch over Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fraisingzona-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1061070108-850x560-f44fe2a53bec418dbc0989c673cd9ed4a29c7df1902b7a83910202434dc9b6e6.jpg)
Ryan Swope
The Cardinals took Ryan Swope in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. During the 2013 NFL Combine, Swope impressed with a rare mixture of size and speed. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed 205lb while posting a 4.34 time in the 40-yard dash. A remarkable feat.
Swope further impressed during his college career when he recorded 89 receptions for 1,207 yards, and 11 touchdowns during his junior season at Texas A&M, setting school records during the time period. Swope was everything one looked for in a wide receiver coming into the NFL.
Unfortunately, he never played a down in the regular season, having retired on July 25th, 2013. While we don’t know how well Swope would have fared in the NFL, and given his status as a sixth-round pick, we can argue that Keim took a flyer on this one.
Grade: Incomplete – It’s unfair to label Swope as a bust, given the concussion issues that forced him into early retirement. Let’s call it Incomplete and move on.