D’Andre Swift 2021 Outlook
The Detroit Lions have been searching for a true top notch running back since the days of Barry Sanders. They have been unsuccessful in this hunt going through the likes of Jahivd Best, Reggie Bush, Theo Riddick, and most recently, Kerryon Johnson. The lack of production from this position due to injury or poor play, has to make you think, is there a curse on the position for the Lions? D’Andre Swift is the newest second round pick to join the carousal. He is now the second running back the Lions selected highly in three years. Swift has the opportunity to change the past and break the curse.
Georgia Production
While playing three seasons at Georgia, Swift achieved Second Team All-SEC (2018) and First Team All-SEC (2019). He produced 2,885 yards on 439 carries while scoring 20 touchdowns. He was used often in the passing game, producing 666 yards on 73 receptions and scoring five touchdowns. Swift showed great promise as a runner but also as a pass catcher while producing many highlight reel plays during his three years at Georgia. NFL scouts were impatiently waiting for him to declare for the draft.
NFL Combine
Swift added to his draft resume with an impressive performance at the NFL Combine. His 4.48 second 40-yard dash was very impressive, landing in the 83rd percentile. He went on to post a 35.5 inch vertical jump along with a 10-1” broad jump. Playerproflier.com has him with a 105.3 speed score along with a 120.9 burst score. All of this left the Lions impressed enough to draft him 35th overall.
Lions Den
Swift joined the Lions with the opportunity to take over the lead back role. The Lions added veteran Adrian Peterson before the season started after his release from Washington. Swift’s fantasy production as a lead back was in question after this move. Would Peterson take away from Swifts ceiling? As the season began Swift was not producing fantasy numbers like the other rookie running backs were. Swift was being utilized in the passing game more than the running game, but he was not a constant piece of the offense. He was producing exciting plays when given the opportunity, giving hope that his future as a fantasy asset was bright.
Swift finished the season as the RB20 overall, and RB5 amongst rookie running backs. He produced 173.8 PPR points while averaging 14.5 points per game. This was good enough for 17th overall in a points per game. All of his stats are well within the RB2 territory, impressively he did this all while averaging only 45 percent of the snap share. Peterson’s tenure as a Lion will likely end this offseason, allowing Swift to increase his snap share. If he can produce those types of numbers on a limited work load imagine what the numbers will look like with an increased role!
2021 and beyond..
The upward trend in Swifts role shown at the end of the season is a huge positive going into 2021. Swift will play a pivotal roll in the Lions offense for years to come, his usage in the passing game will make him a very desirable fantasy asset as well. His ceiling for 2021 is as high as any other running back in football. He is showing the football community that the Lions have found their King of the pride!
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