The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Georgia running back D’Andre Swift:
What he can do
– Compact frame at 5-8, 212. Looks and moves like a pro back
– Ran 4.48 in the 40 and produced good numbers in the jumps. While not a burner, athleticism isn’t a question mark
– Terrific burst, with stop-start quickness and the ability to dart into the second level at top speed
– Displayed one-cut ability in zone run game. Strong vision and feel for cutback lanes. Urgent to the line but not in a hurry. Would be an easy fit into Packers offense
– Caught 73 career passes and showed dynamic abilities as a receiver. Can win man-to-man battles and is explosive and elusive in the open field. Little to no issues catching the football
– Three-down player who can run, catch and block
– Not a power runner. Much more of the elusive type. Can fill up a highlight tape of making people miss in the open field
– Has some durability question marks. Didn’t carry a heavy load but dealt with a bunch of small but nagging injuries during career
– Will need to protect the football better at the next level
– Didn’t do agility drills at the combine. Short-area quickness doesn’t look like an area of concern
– Back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at end career. Scored 21 total touchdowns in 2018 and 2019 combined
How he fits
Swift looks like an ideal modern NFL running back, with three-down ability and the potential to be a dangerous pass-catching weapon at the next level. The modern game is built for backs who can pick up chunk plays as runners and receivers. The Packers have one of those in Aaron Jones, but he’s about to enter the final year of his rookie deal. If the Packers aren’t confident in re-signing Jones or Jamaal Williams, acquiring a running back in this draft would make sense, possibly even early. Swift could provide immediate impact in the passing game and on third downs while giving the Packers a talented future starter. He projects as a No. 1 back or as one half of a dangerous tandem, with the potential of gaining 1,500 or more total yards annually.
NFL comp
A better Duke Johnson. They are both compact and athletic backs with open-field ability and real value as pass-catchers. Swift has a much higher ceiling as a pure runner but figures to be equally as productive in the passing game. He could have Alvin Kamara-like potential for the right team.
Where Packers could get him
It might take a first-round pick, although Swift isn’t the consensus No. 1 running back in the class and isn’t guaranteed to go first round. He, like Jonathan Taylor J.K. Dobbins and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, could fall into the second round. NFL teams are often wary of using a first-rounder at running back. There’s a very good chance Swift will be off the board by the Packers are on the clock at No. 62 overall.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson
IOL Cesar Ruiz
DB Ashtyn Davis
WR Quez Watkins
OT Ben Bartch
IOL Matt Hennessy
WR Isaiah Coulter
RB J.K. Dobbins
OT Lucas Niang
RB A.J. Dillon
TE Dalton Keene
DL Jason Strowbridge
TE Adam Trautman
WR Joe Reed
CB Michael Ojemudia
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