BY SEAN DONOVAN
In the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins passed on a raw tight end prospect from the University of Miami that had mostly played basketball during his college career.
The Dolphins had interest, but ultimately went with offensive lineman John Jerry with their pick.
The player they passed up was Jimmy Graham, who, after getting drafted by the New Orleans Saints, blossomed into one of the most dominating offensive forces in the league.
Four years later, the Dolphins seem intent on not overlooking another possible can't-miss crossover tight end from their neighbors in Coral Gables.
According to The Miami Herald, the Dolphins have expressed an interest in 6-foot-5 University of Miami basketball player Erik Swoope, a week after the Denver Broncos put him through a pre-draft workout. The Kansas City Chiefs have also reportedly expressed interest.
From the sounds of it, Swoope didn't expect NFL teams to come knocking after he finished his senior season with the Hurricanes' basketball team.
“I was completely shocked,” Swoope said. “That was the last thing I expected Coach [Jim Larranaga] to tell me.”
Teams may think that he can make the move from post-up man to seam threat, and Swoope has spoken to fellow Miami alum Graham about making the transition. Graham famously had just one year of collegiate football under his belt before entering the draft.
Any teams that had reservations about Graham's limited football background before the 2010 Draft would have likely scoffed at Swoope's; the former power forward has never played organized football at any level.
But the success that Graham has had with the Saints has warranted second looks from teams needy of a tall, athletic receiving threat at tight end, a category the Dolphins fall in.
Swoope is still a long shot to get drafted this May, but a team may like what it sees enough to give him a camp invite and hopefully find a diamond in the rough.
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