After working out veteran tight end Erik Swoope on Tuesday, the Raiders have signed the 27-year old to a one-year contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Swoope is a former basketball player who signed with the Colts after the 2014 NFL draft. He’s appeared in just 24 career games, catching 23 passes for 384 yards and four touchdowns. He is expected to compete for a roster spot with Darren Waller, Foster Moreau, Derek Carrier, and Luke Willson.
Where Swoope is different from the rest of the tight ends on the roster is that he is more of a receiver than a blocker. He can stretch the field with his size and speed, but he isn’t going to shine in the run game.
For Swoope to make this team, he needs to prove that he is by far the best receiver of the bunch. He certainly has the talent and athleticism to do so, but it will be interesting to see how quickly he can fit into the Raiders’ offense.
Look for the tight end position to have some of the most intense competition during training camp.
