The Houston Texans selected South Carolina safety D.J. Swearinger with the No. 57 overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Swearinger is rated as the No. 49 overall prospect and No. 3 safety in this year's draft class by SB Nation's Dan Kadar.
2013 NFL Draft results: D.J. Swearinger selected by Texans with 57th pick
D.J. Swearinger was selected by Houston Texans in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The former South Carolina safety is arguably one of the most aggressive defensive players in this year’s draft class.
Streeter Lecka
Garnet And Black Attack on D.J. Swearinger
Lorenzo Ward made some adjustments to the personnel scheme, using D.J. Swearinger as a cornerback and frequently utilizing the nickel package when Arkansas spread the field with its receivers. This move seemed to pay off for the most part, particularly as Swearinger had one of his best games of the season. He was all over the field and made some great plays, including a perfect read on the pick-six. Swearinger is one of the most physical defensive backs in this year’s draft class. He showed a penchant for running downhill at ball carriers during his senior season with the Gamecocks, picking up three tackles for loss and two forced fumbles among his 79 total tackles. Swearinger is also versatile, making starts at every position in the defensive backfield at different points in his career. He is as tenacious and quick as they come.
At 5’10, 208 pounds, Swearinger doesn’t have ideal size, however. Though he played as one at South Carolina, he may not have the length to be a rangy center fielder on deep balls in the NFL. Swearinger’s aggressiveness can also be a disadvantage at times, as he occasionally straddles the line between making tough plays and committing personal fouls.
Heading into the draft, the Texans needed to address one big need at the wide receiver position, and they did that in the first round with Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins. But with Glover Quin recently leaving for the Detroit Lions in free agency, getting a free safety to replace him became a big priority.
Swearinger is considered by many to be a candidate to start from day one, and he might get that opportunity with the Texans. It’s likely he’ll have to compete, possibly with a veteran, but he’ll be the favorite to take over the position and further strengthen a tough Texans defense.
Combine results
Height: 5’10
Weight: 208 lbs.
Hand size: 9 1/2 inches
Arm length: 32 3/8 inches
40-yard dash: 4.67 seconds
Vertical jump: 37 inches
Broad jump: 124 inches
20-yard shuttle: 4.11 seconds
Bench press: 17 reps of 225 pounds
Swearinger saw playing time in every one of his four seasons at South Carolina. In his final year, he earned second-team All-SEC honors after racking up 79 tackles, two forced fumbles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
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