NFL Draft 2015: Saints trade up, select CB Damian Swann with 167th pick
The New Orleans Saints were able to trade up, getting back into the fifth round for a third time and selecting Georgia cornerback Damian Swann with the 167th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Saints already drafted a cornerback in the third round, taking Florida State‘s P.J. Williams, so I look at the Swann pick as a bit of a head scratcher with a wide receiver still on the needs list. New Orleans gave up this year’s and next year’s sixth round picks.
Do what does Damian Swann bring to the table?
Well, he was a team captain and a second-team All-SEC selection in 2014. It’s always nice to have that kind of recognition in such a tough conference. He has experience at both cornerback and safety, and according to NFL.com, the 6-footer is a “bump-and-run corner” and a “heat-seeking missile” in the blitz game — those are some positive words for a fifth-round pick.
From GeorgiaDogs.com:
"2014: AP Second Team All-SEC … Voted one of the team’s permanent defensive captains … UGA Coaches’ Leadership Award … Phil Steele’s Second Team All-SEC … Played in 12 games making 12 starts … 65 total tackles, fourth most on the team … four interceptions, tied for most on the team … Team-best four forced fumbles, most in the SEC … One fumble return for 99 yards and a touchdown … Named captain for six games … Recorded 10 tackles, one forced fumble, and returned a fumble 99-yards for a touchdown vs. No. 16 Georgia Tech … Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week and CFPA National DB of the Week for his performance against Arkansas in which he set a career high with 11 tackles and recorded a sack, an interception, and forced two fumbles … Tied a career high with 8 tackles vs. Tennessee, also recorded a sack and two tackles for loss … Tied a career high with 8 tackles at No. 24 South Carolina, also recorded an interception … Preseason Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team … Preseason Media Days All-SEC Second Team … Phil Steele’s Preseason Second Team All-SEC … Athlon Sports Preseason All-SEC Third Team … Recipient of the Virginia & Kenneth McCall Football Scholarship."
We’ll see how Damian Swann pans out. It’s certainly safe to say the New Orleans Saints are now stacked at the cornerback position. Expect some heavy competition at training camp. The Black and Gold currently have one pick remaining after trading away their sixth. The Saints will be back on the clock in the seventh round with the 230th overall pick.
Saints picks up to this point:
1 (13): Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
1 (31): Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson
2 (44): Hau’oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington
3 (75): Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State
3 (78): P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
5 (148): Davis Tull, OLB, Tennessee-Chattanooga
5 (154): Tyeler Davison, DT, Fresno State
5 (167): Damian Swann, CB, Georgia
Next: Saints 2015 NFL Schedule