D’Andre Swift is elusive, and while he may have evaded selection in Thursday’s first round, he didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called tonight. The Detroit Lions made Swift the third Georgia player off the board in the 2020 NFL Draft with the 35th overall pick.
Swift joins former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford in MoTown. The Lions get a versatile back who was consistently productive during his time in Athens. In three years at Georgia Swift churned our 2,885 yards and 20 touchdowns on 440 carries (an impressive 6.56 yards per carry).
But it’s Swift’s receiving ability that is a real differentiator. The Philadelphia native snagged 73 passes for 666 yards and 5 touchdowns in his Bulldog career despite rarely being targeted as a first option.
Swift is indeed swift, having run a 4.48 forty at this year’s Combine. He’s elusive in space and is decisive hitting the hole. Swift is a gifted zone runner, with patience to find the crease and a good feel for how to find yards. He also has one of the best jump cut moves in recent memory.
Swift likely would have been off the board sooner but for some concerns about durability, as well as some fumble issues. But he’s got the Swiss Army knife versatility more and more NFL coordinators want to bring up from the college game. I’m not saying the addition of D’Andre Swift gets Stafford and the Lions over the playoff hump, but it definitely won’t hurt. Until later...
Go ‘Dawgs!!!