Obscure Seahawks Bi-Weekly: Brett Swain
August 10, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brett Swain (18) celebrates with teammate running back Rock Cartwright (28) after catching a touchdown pass at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The ninth installment of “Obscure Seahawks Bi-Weekly” looks at veteran receiver Brett Swain. Swain has been fighting to stick on teams his whole career and has had some success doing it.
The Basics
Age: 27
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 200 lbs
Position: WR
Number: #16
College: San Diego State
Method of Acquisition: Signed as a free agent 04/08/13
Years Pro: 4
40 yard dash time: 4.63
NFL career stats: 27 GP, 2 GS, 8 Receptions, 87 Yards, 0 TD
Fun fact: Brett Swain is such a journeyman that when you type Brett Swain c (looking for combine) into the google the first thing to come up is “Brett Swain cut”. I guess that fact is less fun for Mr. Swain himself. Sorry Brett.
Scouting Report
Most of these profiles deal with young players who have a great deal of athleticism but have yet to prove themselves as football players. Brett Swain is the opposite. Swain is a veteran who has proven himself to be a capable depth piece and special teams player already and has demonstrated the ability to make the most of his fairly marginal athleticism. Reports on Swain indicate just about what you would expect: tough player, good routes, catches the ball in traffic, grows unbelievable mullets, etc. He profiles as a backup slot receiver at the NFL level. Brett Swain is absolutely fine as the 49th-53rd man on your 53 man roster.
Chances of Making the Team
Remote. However, as a former seventh round pick Swain has probably heard that a lot in his career. You can pencil in Harvin, Rice, Tate, Baldwin and Chris Harper for the 53 man roster so Swain only hope is that the Seahawks carry six receivers or that someone gets injured. Neither of these scenarios are beyond the realm of possibility. While there are options that may have a higher ceiling than Swain keep in mind the value that coaches put on a known commodity. If the Seahawks were to carry Brett as a 6th receiver he would play a role on special teams and not embarrass himself if called upon due to injury. That’s pretty much all you can ask for from your players way down the depth chart. While I think Swain has a better chance than most, who would probably give him a 0% chance, it’s hard to be too optimistic about his chances to make the team. Arbitrary Estimates: 15% chance of making the team, practice squad ineligible.