To get a better look at the Detroit Lions second-round pick D’Andre Swift, let’s take a look at how draft analysts evaluated him in their 2020 NFL Draft guides and website profiles.
The reviews are glowing.
The Athletic
Evaluator: Dane Brugler’s “The Beast”
“A two-year starter at Georgia, Swift was the feature back in former offensive coordinator James Coley’s pro-style spread. He played a key role in three straight SEC Eastern Division titles for the Bulldogs and finished his career No. 1 in school history with 6.56 yards per carry, just ahead of Todd Gurley’s 6.44. Swift is a patient athlete with the short-area explosiveness and speed to pick, slide and juke, making him tough to tackle one-on-one. He needs to clean up some inconsistencies in passing situations, but defenders lose him as a receiver and effort isn’t a concern in pass protection. Overall, Swift has the uncanny ability to make defenders miss and runs with the instinctive ability to quickly survey and create positive yardage, projecting as a feature back in the NFL if he stays healthy.”
NFL.com
“Swift possesses the play traits and running style of a skillful NFL veteran and is the latest in an avalanche of talented Georgia backs. Tempo and decisiveness are his calling cards, making him a highly talented inside/outside zone runner. He’s a cerebral runner who understands block timing and uses quick-cut agility and rare spatial awareness to read and react to defenses beyond the second level. Swift isn’t overly explosive as a home-run hitter and doesn’t run with the violence of last year’s top running back, Josh Jacobs. He can step right in and provide early stability and production as an efficient, every-down back with Offensive Rookie of the Year potential.”
Pro Football Focus
“I’m of the opinion that Swift’s build at 5-9, 215 pounds is the ideal size for a running back. Being that low to the earth helps with balance while still not being too heavy that it’s detrimental to quickness. All those things are true about Swift, whose real trump card isn’t actually either of those things. He’s a precise route runner who has lined up in the slot even at times in his Georgia
career. While he may not have the pure elusiveness of some of the top backs in the class, you can count on him to beat linebackers on his routes consistently.”
The Draft Network
“D’Andre Swift is an unquestioned feature back and three down threat at the NFL level. Swift brings a pretty rare blend of size, agility, speed and receiving ability — he’s capable of overhauling an NFL team’s rushing attack with his every down skill set. Swift projects well to an inside zone rushing offense, where his cuts and anticipation can shine, but he’s a feasible fit in just about every rushing offense given his vast array of skills and rare blend of inside/outside talents. Day One plus starter.”
Draft Wire
“Swift is likely the top rated running back on most draft boards and could be the first one selected in the NFL Draft. Based on how he plays the game, Swift has future New England Patriot written all over him (well, if they didn’t already have former teammate Sony Michel).
“Despite the position being devalued over the years, there is a lot of value in taking a back the caliber of Swift with four to five years of control at a lower cost. His play style is very much like current Carolina Panthers do-it-all weapon Christian McCaffrey.”