2. D’Andre Swift, Georgia
Height: 5’8″ Weight: 212
40-Yard Dash: 4.48
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: 35.5
Broad Jump: 121.0
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
60-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Bio: Swift had to wait for Sony Michel and Nick Chubb to get out of town before he could be a starter, but he still made an impact as a freshman with 618 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on just 81 carries. He saw his workload increase over each of the next two seasons, and Swift capped out with 1,218 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 196 carries. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry in his collegiate career, adding 76 receptions for 666 yards and five touchdowns from 2017-2019.
Stat to Know: Swift never saw the field for more than 500 snaps in a season for the Bulldogs, but he made the most of his opportunities. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry in his collegiate career, 31% of his carries produced first downs, and he dropped just three catchable passes in 76 targets.
Strengths: One-cut runner with sudden, churning feet he uses to respond to open gaps along the line. Excellent vision and acceleration. Responds quickly to what he sees, but also has the patience to wait for things to happen. Good on draws and delays because of that patience. Bounces off tackles well and has an array of moves to make himself more elusive — his spin move against Auburn was a nice surprise. Not afraid of contact at all — he’ll dip his shoulder into a defender. Above-average receiver on everything from quick pitches and screens to intermediate stuff up the seam. Could excel in the slot at the next level. Ran a very diverse scheme at Georgia with equal parts inside and outside zone, as well as gap. Not an obviously great blocker, but has the mentality to become one.
Weaknesses: Swift isn’t a natural plus tackle-breaker — while he runs in rhythm well, you would like to see more plays in which he transcends the efforts of great defenses to pick up more yards. Really needs open gaps to rack up big gains. Doesn’t have a third gear he can use to blast away from everyone — his running style is more smooth and rhythmic than explosive and violent. Ran against a heavy box on 21% of his carries in 2019, which is not the ideal recipe for him.
Conclusion: Swift is one of the most pro-ready running backs in this class because he’s been asked to do everything in a three-down sense at a high level, and he’s responded very well. This isn’t the guy you want if you’re looking for a back to move defenses, but he’ll give you maximum performance in every kind of run, in the passing game, and as a blocker on the rise. A natural fit for any pass-heavy team.
NFL Comparison: Giovani Bernard. One doesn’t want to put a Darren Sproles comparison on Swift just yet, but he has that potential if he works with more power and expands his role in the passing game. Like Bernard, the North Carolina alum selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2013 draft, he can be a great complementary force, despite obvious size concerns.
Moss | Swift | Taylor | Edwards-Helaire | Dobbins | Akers |
Benjamin | Dillon | Evans | Perine | Gibson