http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thedaily ... -dolphins/

Actually makes him sound like the next Hartline (size, skill set)

Swope will not be anything other than a slot receiver, that was Hartline's weakness so his replacement would be Jennings/Wallace if signed. If Bess is cleared for more cap space this offseason, Swope would be his replacement.

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Swope should find a spot on an NFL team. I have seen him play at A & M and I am just doubting he will find his way on Miami's roster as he isn't the type of receiver the fins need at this point.

I just watched some youtube reels on Swope. He looks like Welker 2.0. Tough, quick and some playmaking ability. I'd love to see him in Miami, especially if he and Tannehill already have a comfort level from their college days. I recommend people take a look at some videos of the kid.

And you guys are correct, he does not look like an outside receiver/Hartline replacement but he's fast enough to get behind some DBs so I think he could have that expanded Welker-like role.

could he be like a Jordy in our offense?

He doesn't seem to be a "size" guy with speed like Jordy Nelson. I made the Welker comparison because he's like that little booger who just finds an opening in the defense and just takes off...kind of the way Welker has annoyed me with his performances the last few years.

He can shed a tackle, take a hit, and run by defenders. Big YAC guy.

I do not see Miami drafting Swope unless they got him later in the draft. He is 6'0 and a SLOT receiver for the NFL. Davone Bess is entrenched in that spot and that is just IMO not Miami's first priority.

I agree that they wouldn't take him until the mid rounds but I'm not so sure Bess is entrenched. I think just about everyone in that WR group is expendable.

I hears ya Jammer. I just don't see Swope unseating Bess, but then again it is the players that prove themselves. It will be interesting to say the least IF Miami decided to draft the guy.

Oh I don't see him unseating Bess, but if Miami grabs a couple guys via FA/trade and drafts Tavon Austin then you have to wonder what becomes of Bess. Maybe he's trade bait, maybe a cap casualty. That is where I think Swope could find his way on the team and slowly develop into a 3rd/4th receiver working the slot mostly.

Its anyone's guess at this point and if I had to bet my money would be on Bess being a Dolphin in 2013. He's pretty valuable to the team, but I guess my point is that he can be upgraded.

He's a fast shifty route runner with great hands. I've read draft experts that call him another Jordy Nelson type of player. Every team can use a guy like that. Swope, if you've seen him play can line up at every receiver position in that A&M offense. Sherman could move him all over the field and use him however he wants, the kid knows every receiver position.

Swope was Tannehill's security blanket in college. Hartline was Tannehill's security blanket this season. If you have the chance to make your quarterback's life that much easier and give him another go-to guy in spread and four wide situations, why wouldn't you? Especially if the kid only costs you a 4th round pick.

Swope is a no-brainer in my opinion if he's still sitting there in the 4th round. Same goes for Luke Joeckel in the 1st if he falls out of the top ten by some miracle.

Luke Joeckel won't make it past the top five picks. Swope looked very inconsistent at the combine, perhaps it was nerves, but he dropped several passes. However, Swope would still be a nice pick later on.

Swope would be an upgrade over Bess. I've heard a few times that Bess isnt in the long term plans.

All I know is if we are "replacing" current players, I sure hope the next one is at the least as good as the one being replaced...

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True dat.

While I do think Hartline should get a good contract, I think a lot of fans (such as myself) are irked that he is asking for more than what he has put on the field. Heck, this was his "break-out" season in a contract year, and we've endured some very average play throughout his career here as we patiently waited for him to be worth that 2009 4th round pick. Right now he's asking for a top 10 NFL salary.

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Yeah I wish he would have quietly signed an extension rather than push to FA... But with the new rookie wage scale, FA's tend to be getting more money than before. I cant hate a guy for trying to get ahead..

He is not worth what he is asking.. Im still on the same page as most here, offer him in the 4 mil range annually and leave it on the table.
If he does not want it then look at other FA's.. Not sure where Jennings stands, but if he is in the 6 mil range I would just go for him, Im sure trade talks have been going on this week as well for other WR's we may able to scoop up.

I do worry about the whole "learning the playbook" excuse we heard about our FA's last year, hopefully we get guys in early enough that they can learn it...

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Swope would be an upgrade over Bess. I've heard a few times that Bess isnt in the long term plans.

I guess we shall see, but remember, Bess had a heck of a set of stats coming out of Hawaii and has been in the NFL for a bit and knows the pace of the game better. Perhaps in time Swopes could be good, but I don't see him being an immediate upgrade over Bess.

Miami has too many other holes to fill to let Hartline go. He is a solid #2 WR and will end up being resigned by Miami for 6 million a year for 3 or 4 years. Don't forget he put up 1000 yards this year and didn't play any preseason games due to injury. And IMO Hartline in the 4th round is one of the few decent picks Ireland has made.

6 million is in the ballpark i would think...alot of wr.'s make more than that.

Just no big bonus money. done deal