New Orleans Saints select DB Damian Swann in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

2014: Second-team All-SEC. Started 12 games. 2013: Started all 13 games. 2012: Started all 14 games. 2011: Played in 11 games with one start.

STRENGTHS: Natural corner who has played and can play all over field. Played in the box in dime package and used as deep safety on a few snaps. Good length pressing and crowding receivers to the sideline. At his best as bump-and-run corner playing inside leverage. Thin but physical in run support. Covered big receivers and tight ends from the slot. Blitzes like a heat-seeking missile.

New Orleans Saints select DB Damian Swann in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft


ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS Natural corner who has played and can play all over field. Played in the box in dime package and used as deep safety on a few snaps. Good length pressing and crowding receivers to the sideline. At his best as bump-and-run corner playing inside leverage. Thin but physical in run support. Covered big receivers and tight ends from the slot. Blitzes like a heat-seeking missile.

WEAKNESSES Gives away a tremendous cushion in thirds coverage. Has to see it to break on it. Instincts lacking in zone coverage and takes too long to close out receivers. Feet uncooperative at times. Has issues staying wired to receivers making inside releases. Plays at one speed and lacks long speed to recover. Not in position to make interceptions. Had just five interceptions in three years as a starter.

DRAFT PROJECTION Round 5

NFL COMPARISON Chris Lewis-Harris

BOTTOM LINE Gangly cornerback with spindly legs but a willingness to play physically and with great energy and effort. Swann doesn't play tightly enough in coverage or make enough plays on the ball to be a starting cornerback and doesn't have the size to transition to safety full time, but he's versatile and highly competitive and has a legitimate shot to make a team.

Damian Swann Draft Profile




My take: The Saints are clearly intent on improving their cornerback depth, and I don't blame them since I considered it their biggest weakness last season (among several other worthy candidates). The Saints now have nine cornerbacks on the roster after adding Brandon Browner, Kyle Wilson and Delvin Breaux in free agency and drafting P.J. Williams in the third round. They traded up to get Swann, sending their sixth-round picks in both 2015 and 2016 to the Washington Redskins to move up 20 spots. It's hard to project Swann playing a big role right away in such a crowded secondary. But he could fight for a role as a dime back while contributing on special teams and being developed for the future.

Finding the fit: Swann bounced around in different roles as a three-year starter at Georgia, sometimes playing in the slot, sometimes bump-and-run and sometimes even playing as a deep safety. ESPN analyst Todd McShay said he thinks the 6-foot, 189-pounder was at his best as a senior when the Bulldogs moved him back away from the line of scrimmage. But the Saints will have time to decide what suits the long and lean defensive back best in their versatile defense. Swann had eight career interceptions -- four of them coming in 2012 and four coming in 2014. He also had four forced fumbles as a senior.

2015 NFL draft total breakdown: Saints draft CB Damian Swann in fifth - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN


Damian Swann talks about being drafted by the Saints

What kind of expectations did you have going into draft weekend? And what was it like getting the phone call that you’d been picked?

“I was just waiting. I’ve been to a lot of different places and I met with a lot of different people. I didn’t know where I was going to end up. I’m just happy to be here, and I’m excited about the moment. I’m ready to get to work.”

Did you visit the Saints in New Orleans?

“I did. It was about two to three weeks ago.”

What did you talk about and what did they say? How did they envision using you?

“They pretty much liked my versatility. I can play a lot of different spots and am able to pick up on the system. I think I’m a pretty good fit for what they like to do. I’ve been around the system for a while. The visit went well. I got to meet everybody, I got to talk ball, I got to show them a lot of things I already knew, and we just went from there.”

Read more: Damian Swann talks about being drafted by the Saints

Re: New Orleans Saints select DB Damian Swann in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I wanted the cb out of Oregon but nine dbs is pretty deep.

Re: New Orleans Saints select DB Damian Swann in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Id still take him as a udfa
He will be redshirted a year anyway

Re: New Orleans Saints select DB Damian Swann in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

charles Gains was still on the board. so lets see how this works out.

Re: New Orleans Saints select DB Damian Swann in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I know it's only 6th round picks but I still have a hard time understanding why they traded two picks to move up for this guy. I've never heard of him, and I watch a lot of SEC football... That isn't a good sign to begin with, but then reading up on him there isn't much to like. Yet they made the effort to move up just for him? I don't get it.

I guess I should remind myself that these guys are great at drafting, what with the tremendous success we've had with it recently. I mean, ONE of them actually played a fair amount last year, and who can forget the awesome Ronald Powell (2 tackles) Vinnie Sunseri (5 tackles) SJP (managed to have his name appear on the roster) Khari Fortt (helped the Saints establish the dumbest usage of the IR-designated for return- of all time, and I'm including the future) and, of course, the ever distinguished Tavon Rooks (.....?). And that's just last year.

Let's hope their gambling works out a little better this year.

Re: New Orleans Saints select DB Damian Swann in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Out of nine draft picks we had to reach for a player........it's in our DNA apparently.

Re: New Orleans Saints select DB Damian Swann in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Projected as a 5th rounder on his NFL draft profile
We paid two 6th rounder. Similar value

STRENGTHS
Natural corner who has played and can play all over field. Played in the box in dime package and used as deep safety on a few snaps. Good length pressing and crowding receivers to the sideline. At his best as bump-and-run corner playing inside leverage. Thin but physical in run support. Covered big receivers and tight ends from the slot. Blitzes like a heat-seeking missile.


Saints selected Georgia CB Damian Swann with the No. 167 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

Swann (6'0/189) was a playmaker in Georgia's secondary, piling up 10 career TFLs, four sacks, six forced fumbles, and eight INTs as a 40-game starter. He earned second-team All SEC as a senior. Swann proved to be a pedestrian athlete at the Combine, running 4.50 with a 33-inch vertical and 9-foot-10 broad jump. Competitive and physical, Swann's best position may be free safety or slot corner. May 2 - 3:15


Georgia senior CB Damian Swann "could stay with any receiver in coverage drills" at the Shrine Game, observed the Sporting News' Chris Kouffman.

"Swann was easily one of the smartest and most communicative players in the Bulldogs' secondary," Kouffman wrote. "Georgia moved him from deep safety to slot corner to the boundary, depending on the defensive play call and the opposing offense’s alignment. Swann was able to handle all of this movement easily while keeping constant communication with his teammates, often calling out offensive tendencies based on alignment and leverage. This trait showed up again in Shrine Game practices as his route recognition improved during the week." The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Swann has long been a playmaker. In 2013, he forced eight (four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries). This year, he posted 52 total tackles, three interceptions and three pass break-ups.


Georgia senior CB Damian Swann "showed the foot quickness and high level of competitiveness during Shrine Game practices that will give him a shot in the NFL," according to CBS Sports' Dane Brugler.
"He tends to play overanxious at times, but his click-and-close ability to drive and blow up plays is a terrific asset for the position," Brugler wrote. "Swann doesn't have an ideal body type for the position with lean-muscled bulk, but he's tough and feisty to work through blocks and make wideouts uncomfortable. After playing a similar role as Brandon Boykin at Georgia, look for Swann to compete for a nickel position at the next level." The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Swann recorded four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 2013, and 52 total tackles, three interceptions and three pass break-ups in 2014.


He is a fighter and if he lives up to his potential will be a valuable role player at worst

Re: New Orleans Saints select DB Damian Swann in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Enough said right there! Payton put an emphasis on getting strong leader, good character, smart football players this year!

Re: New Orleans Saints select DB Damian Swann in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

SJB losing his seat on the bench?