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The Detroit Lions have not had a great recent history of second-round draft picks.
Darius Slay aside, the last decade has been ugly and full of wasted potential:
Lions recent 2nd round history:
19 – Jahlani Tavai, LB
18 – Kerryon Johnson, RB
17 – Teez Tabor, CB
16 – A'Shawn Robinson, DT
15 – Ameer Abdullah, RB
14 – Kyle Van Noy, LB
13 – Darius Slay, CB
12 – Ryan Broyles, WR
11 – Titus Young, WR & Mikel Leshoure, RB
10 – None— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) April 24, 2020
When the Lions came on the clock in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, they had their pick of any pass rusher, interior defensive lineman, or offensive lineman they wanted. Instead, they went to Matthew Stafford’s alma mater and selected D’Andre Swift, running back out of Georgia.
D'Andre Swift is a RB prospect in the 2020 draft class out of Georgia.
He posted a good #RAS with poor size, good speed, good explosiveness, at the RB position.https://t.co/BGiDLIFOQq pic.twitter.com/vGSpoFzyBm
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 7, 2020
The primary concern many may have initially is Swift’s position — running back. The Lions drafted Kerryon Johnson just two years ago (in the second round no less), and Bo Scarbrough showed some pop in limited playing time last season. And running back is not the premiere position it once was.
But running back was an underrated need on this team. Johnson has not been healthy seemingly since high school and has spent time on injured reserve in both his NFL seasons. Scarbrough has had his share of injuries too and the team had only minimal depth behind them.
Running back was absolutely a need.
Swift is also productive. He’s a three-down back who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in the SEC the past two seasons. He’s also a dynamite pass-catcher who won’t need to come off the field in passing situations. And he’s incredibly fun to watch, making defenders miss in the open field.
D'Andre Swift to DET.
Multi-dimensional dynamo with UGA. Reliable hands. Owns superb burst with a sick spin move, contact balance and leg drive. Upper-level creativity in the open field.
It's been real, Kerryon. Only a matter of time Swift becomes a three-down contributor.
— Brad Evans (@NoisyHuevos) April 24, 2020
But, the pick is not without concerns. Swift is not the biggest back in the world, and, like Johnson and Scarbrough, he’s had his share of injuries in college. Counting on him to stay healthy may be asking too much. Especially behind a Lions offensive line that still has lots of questions.
And speaking of the offensive line, by taking Swift, the Lions passed on improving that position by taking Swift. Louisiana’s Robert Hunt, one of the best pure guards in the draft, went to the Miami Dolphins shortly after the Lions picked Swift. The Lions also passed on Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins, who may ultimate turn out to be the better back in the NFL.
The Lions also passed over a number of defenders who could have immediately helped the team in 2020. Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa was basically born to play in a Matt Patricia system. Michigan’s Josh Uche and TCU’s Ross Blacklock also could instantly improve the defense.
Ultimately, running back was a much bigger need for the Lions than many may have thought coming into today. But given the other players still on the board, the Lions may have done best waiting to take their running back, and drafting a defensive lineman like Epenesa or a guard like Hunt instead.