D’Andre Swift didn’t get off to the best start a few years ago after dropping the game-winning touchdown in his first career game. Now entering his third year, expectations are sky high for the talented running back.
Swift was drafted in the early second round of the 2020 NFL draft by Detroit. He was selected over top three running back Jonathan Taylor, who had his breakout campaign last year. However, Swift was looked at as the best running back in the draft, and rightfully so considering how outstanding his skill set was at Georgia.
Many fans, myself included, initially wanted the Lions to take Taylor, but we’re happy with Swift considering how exciting he was and still can be. He’s unpredictable with his moves in open space and can make defenders pay if they don’t gameplan around him. This year, he has a very good chance to emerge as a true top 10 running back in the league.
In his first two seasons, Swift has had problems staying on the field, as he has missed 3 games each season, while also sitting out possessions during games due to nicks and bruises accumulated after kickoff. When healthy, he’s one of the most dangerous weapons on the Lions offense.
Last season, Swift had to deal with losing Stafford and having Goff take over duties under center. Goff truly appreciates having Swift, considering the lack of offensive weapons and lack of time to throw the ball due to injuries along the offensive line.
A healthy offensive line can get him into the open field with ease. The old line struggled with consistency last year, as they didn’t play as an entire group once due to a variety of injuries. When healthy, just like Swift, that whole line is among the best in the league and it isn’t a stretch to think they could end up becoming a top three unit in the league.
Not only would a healthy O-line benefit Swift, but the Lions also added several weapons in the offseason, which will help keep defenders honest and not just locked into where Swift is. With Goff being amongst the bottom tier of quarterbacks in the NFL, and a weak wide receiver group, Swift was clearly the Lions best playmaker in 2021. With the additions of DJ Chark and rookie Jameson Williams, that opens up the field for not only Swift, but Goff as well.
Although he hasn’t had the breakout season yet like Taylor, Swift is far from a bust, nor was he necessarily the wrong pick for Detroit. It was just an unfortunate series of events that led to a few setbacks early on in his career. But with a contract extension coming up in two seasons, Swift is determined to show why he should be considered amongst the best in the NFL.
-Robert Martin
Twitter: @Defense_Rob
Photo: Tammy Anthony Baker. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.