The Cardinals announced the signing of four draft picks Friday: wide receiver Ryan Swope, tight end D.C. Jefferson and running backs Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington.
Taylor, a fifth-round selection from Stanford, rushed for 1,530 yards and 13 touchdowns on 322 carries in 2012. Ellington, a sixth-round pick, gained 1,081 yards and eight TDs a season ago for Clemson. Both rookie backs will compete for roles in the Cardinals’ backfield, which could have a new lead runner in former Steelers tailback Rashard Mendenhall. Third-year pro Ryan Williams is also in the mix for carries.
Swope, whom the Cardinals selected in the sixth round, caught 72 passes for 913 yards and eight touchdowns in 2012 for Texas A&M. The only wide receiver the Cards selected in the 2013 draft, Swope projects as a backup. Jefferson, a seventh-round pick from Rutgers, will also vie for a reserve role.