Tag: dandre swift

Peter Schrager’s NFL mock draft 1.0: Bucs need to keep Brady upright

“Good Morning Football” host Peter Schrager thinks the Bucs will go with this SEC offensive lineman in round one of the 2020 NFL draft.

Good Morning Football host Peter Schrager has released his first mock draft just weeks before the actual NFL draft. Like many analysts, Schrager expects LSU quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow to go first overall to the Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State edge Chase Young to go second to the Washington Redskins.

While it remains anyone’s guess how things will actually play out in a few weeks, it’s clear that people believe the Buccaneers, after landing Tom Brady in free agency, will go for an offensive tackle in the first round, where they hold the 14th pick. Names like Mekhi Becton, Jedrick Wills and Tristan Wirfs have been thrown around in previous mocks, but one name that seems to be coming up more and more is Andrew Thomas from Georgia. Schrager likes the big OT going to the Bucs, and believes he can help the running game.

Per Schrager:

“The Bucs may have landed the big fish of free agency in Tom Brady, but bringing back Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett could be just as important in 2020. Keeping Brady upright so he can get the ball to his two 1,000-yard receivers is, of course, a priority. Thomas can play guard or tackle for Tampa Bay and was a dominant run blocker for a host of running backs during his time at UGA.”

Speaking of UGA, there’s also the chance the Bucs could try and draft Georgia running back D’Andre Swift. In Todd McShay’s post-combine mock draft the other month he had the star running back going to Tampa Bay in round one, and in his latest four-round mock draft, Chad Reuter had the Bucs snagging Swift in the second round.

One thing is for sure, the Bucs will need to find some help in the backfield for Brady. Right now, Ronald Jones remains the primary back since Peyton Barber left for the Redskins. The draft might be the best place for Tampa Bay to find a new back.

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USA TODAY NFL mock draft: D’Andre Swift still on the board

USA TODAY NFL mock draft snubs Georgia running back D’Andre Swift in the first round. Andrew Thomas is the only Dawg selected in the top 32.

According to our USATODAY NFL mock draft, only one Georgia Bulldog will be selected in the first round. Georgia’s stud left tackle Andrew Thomas has fallen down draft boards a little bit, but he’s a near unanimous first round pick.

In fact, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Andrew Thomas 14th overall in the mock draft. Thomas would have a chance to block for legendary quarterback Tom Brady in Tampa. New England’s 2018 first round pick Isaiah Wynn blocked for Brady as left tackle. Now, Brady would have another first round pick out of Georgia as his left tackle in Andrew Thomas.

Feb 26, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Andrew Thomas speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine.  Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Beyond Thomas, the biggest Georgia-related shocker of the USA TODAY NFL mock draft is that D’Andre Swift didn’t get picked in the first round. Altogether no running back was selected in the first round.

The NFL is off and on about valuing the running back position. Swift is a first round talent, but what team will value his position enough to select him? First round running backs traditionally make an immediate impact.

Swift is one of the best receiving backs in the draft, so that aspect of his game is league-ready. Swift has frequently been mocked to the Miami Dolphins at the 18th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Will that be the case come late April?

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7 Georgia Bulldogs taken in CBSSports’ full NFL mock draft

CBS Sports released a full NFL mock draft that included 7 Georgia football players being taken.

Most NFL mock drafts that we’ve seen over the past couple of months have had 2-3 Georgia football players going in the first round.

However, in CBS Sports’ most recent 7-round mock draft, the outlet has just one Dawg taken in the first round, and that’s left tackle Andrew Thomas.

Analyst Chris Trapasso projects the New York Jets to take Thomas with the No. 11 overall pick in the NFL Draft, which is currently scheduled for April 23 in Las Vegas.

On Thomas, Trapasso wrote:

Jets GM Joe Douglas knows how vital an offensive line is after his time in Philadelphia. Thomas was outstanding the two seasons at Georgia and has length for days.

Trapasso has Thomas ranked as the 15th overall player in the draft class and 4th ranked offensive tackle.

In total, Trapasso has seven Georgia players going in the draft.

Round 2:

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Why the Bucs’ backfield is ‘ready for a redo’

See why NFL.com believes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in need of an upgrade at running back this offseason.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the league’s most high-powered offenses again in 2019, averaging 28.6 points per game, tied for third-most in the NFL. Much of the Bucs’ offensive success can be attributed to their passing game, with star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin carrying the bulk of the load.

As fun as it is to see Tampa Bay air it out time and again, the fact remains that their backfield is a major area of weakness. The addition of a dual-threat running back who can run and catch would add a new dimension to this offense, and likely take some pressure off the quarterback, whoever that may be in 2020. Jeremy Bergman over at Around the NFL wrote about Tampa Bay’s strange backfield, and why they are in need of an upgrade this offseason.

Per Bergman:

“One of the league’s strangest backfields is ready for a re-do. Peyton Barber, Tampa Bay’s leading rusher from 2018, is hitting free agency, leaving 2018 second-round pick Ronald Jones to front the Buccaneers’ backfield. RoJo enjoyed a sophomore bump last year (203 touches, 1,033 yards from scrimmage) and looked good doing it, but the 22-year-old isn’t ready to shoulder the load. Tampa Bay should be active in free agency and the draft’s early goings in its search for a pass-catching back, like Chris Thompson, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jonathan Taylor or potentially even David Johnson, if Bruce Arians’ old bell-cow were to become available.”

Jones had his first-career 100-yard rushing game in Week 17’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons to close out the 2019 season. A high second-round pick in 2018, Jones hasn’t lived up to his billing yet. In fact, Todd McShay predicted in his post-combine mock draft that the Bucs would use the 14th pick in April’s draft to take Georgia standout running back D’Andre Swift.

Tampa Bay could certainly use help in the backfield. We’ll just have to wait and see whether the team makes upgrading the position a priority come free agency or the draft.

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Todd McShay names Georgia’s D’Andre Swift as top RB in 2020 NFL Draft

ESPN’s Todd McShay named Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift as the best ball carrier in the 2020 NFL Draft.

D’Andre Swift is looking to become the next great Georgia running back to takeover the NFL.

In the last five years lone, Todd Gurley, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb have all made great transitions from the college to pro level. Gurley’s won an NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, Michel’s rookie season saw him win a Super Bowl, and last year Chubb was less than 50 yards away from being the league’s leading rusher.

What will Swift do early on his pro career?

Many have Swift as the top running back in the 2020 NFL Draft class, and for good reason.

At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week, Swift did more than enough to keep the hype high. He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash, put up a 35.5-inch vertical and 121-inch broad jump. He measured in at 5-foot-8, 212 pounds, so he is built perfectly for a shorter ball carrier.

Going back to Michel, Gurley and Chubb, all first and second round picks.

ESPN’s draft analyst Todd McShay thinks that Swift has what it takes to be the best out of that group.

“Swift is explosive,” McShay said on a Tuesday morning conference call.

“They’ve had so many good backs come out of Georgia. I’m not saying he’s the best, but he’s better than the recent first and second-rounders they’ve had. He does everything at full speed. Whether it’s transitioning from after catch, to reading blocks, to making that cutback. … he’s explosive.

“The running back group, even though we may only have one in the first round with Swift in my opinion, JK Dobbins is a stud. Jonathan Taylor is (great). And if you ask Joe Burrow who the best player is he has ever played with, he says (Clyde) Edwards-Helaire. Swift is just a notch above those guys because he’s complete. It’s easy to see on tape.”

Todd McShay’s post-combine mock draft has Bucs taking an SEC star running back

See who Todd McShay likes for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the 14th spot in his latest 2020 NFL mock draft.

With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine in the books, teams can now focus on their draft boards and upcoming pro days in anticipation of April’s NFL draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the 14th pick in the draft, and in his first mock draft post-combine, Daniel Jeremiah over at NFL.com liked LSU edge K’Lavon Chaisson going to Tampa Bay. Today, Todd McShay over at ESPN released his post-combine mock draft, and he has a surprising and exciting pick at 14. McShay believes the Bucs will draft Georgia star running back D’Andre Swift.

Per McShay:

“Swift is explosive, and while Ronald Jones II looked good at moments in 2019, the Bucs could use some explosion in the run game. Hand him the ball, and watch him make one cut and turn on his 4.48 40 speed. Tampa Bay was bottom-third in rushing last season and ranked 17th in receptions by running backs. Swift, one of the best pass-catching RBs in the class, would help in both areas. But keep an eye on QB and edge rusher too. If Jameis Winston doesn’t return and Love or Herbert slide, this could be a good landing spot. And with all of the Bucs’ potential losses to their pass rush, reaching for someone such as LSU defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson here could be in play.”

That would certainly be a major get for the Bucs and an upgrade at the running back position. While second-year RB Ronald Jones performed admirably last season, it took until Week 17 for him to have his first-career 100-yard game for the Bucs. Jones, the former second-round pick, is still young, but Swift has playmaker written all over him. The Georgia Bulldog had 1,218 rushing yards on 196 carries to go along with seven touchdowns in 2019.

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D’Andre Swift outran former teammates Chubb and Michel at NFL Combine

Though not yet a pro, D’Andre Swift has a leg up (so to speak) on each aforementioned Bulldog teammate.

Former Georgia football tailback D’Andre Swift spent only one season in Athens alongside current NFL standouts Nick Chubb and Sony Michel.

NFL cameras and radar show that, in terms of speed, Swift is one step ahead.

To provide another trite observation: Swift is swift.

At this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, Swift dashed 40 yards in 4.49 seconds, outrunning Chubb’s 4.53 and Michel’s 4.54 recorded during 2018’s event.

Upon their respective departures from the University of Georgia, all three players received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. Both of Swift’s former teammates and current mentors were selected within the first two rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft.

He outran the footsteps he was hoping to follow. In terms of draft order, he can do it again.

Swift, like Brian Herrien, had the opportunity to learn from some of Georgia’s best.

Though not yet a pro, D’Andre Swift has a leg up (so to speak) on each aforementioned Bulldog teammate.

Both former Georgia football RB’s invited to NFL Combine ran faster than Florida’s one

Just as it’s been in the SEC East every year for the past three years, the Dawgs are on top of Florida.

At this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, the University of Georgia boasts two representatives at running back. The school’s football program is known for having a one or two decent players at the position.

Georgia’s main rival has one representative running back at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, Lamical Perine. Perine ran a 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds compared to Swift’s 4.49 and Herrien’s 4.62.

Just as it’s been in the SEC East every year for the past three years, the Dawgs are on top of Florida.

Swift’s swift dash can be seen here:

Between the two tailbacks’ seven combined seasons in silver britches, one loss to the Gators was experienced collectively.

Georgia football’s D’Andre Swift outruns Florida football’s top RB

Despite forgoing his senior year, Swift has earned his fourth win over Florida.

The University of Georgia has a history of placing tailbacks into the NFL.

D’Andre Swift aims to be the eleventh former Georgia tailback drafted in the past twenty years and is one of ten Bulldogs invited to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.

Rival Florida is also well-represented with eight participants, but with only one running back, Lamical Perine. Georgia provides two in Swift and Brian Herrien.

Perine completed his drill in 4.65 seconds. Compare that to Swift’s 4.49 seconds.

Swift is one of a select group of Bulldogs to finish his collegiate career undefeated against the Gators in three or more games.

Despite forgoing his senior year, Swift has earned his fourth win over Florida.

Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift to meet with two AFC East teams at NFL Combine

Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift is scheduled to meet with two AFC East teams at the NFL Combine.

Georgia running back D’Andre Swift is viewed as a first round pick in April’s NFL Draft.

He’ll likely be the first running back taken off the board, and there’s two AFC East teams that he is scheduled to meet with this week – the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills.

The Dolphins hold both the 18th and 26th pick in the draft with the Bills having the 22nd pick.

If Swift does go at 18, 22 or 26, he would be the highest taken running back out of Georgia since Gurley went No. 10 in 2015.

Sony Michel went 31st to New England in 2018 and Nick Chubb went 35th to the Browns.

But Swift has been viewed as a higher draft choice thanks in large part to his versatility.

In terms of what a guy can do with the ball in his hands, there’s nobody who has a wider range of skill than Swift.

Not only can he run you over, but he can blow past you with his speed and he has one of the nastiest arsenals of jukes, spins and cuts that you’ll see from a college running back.

But what really sets him apart is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make things happen. It’s something that Georgia fans may not be too familiar with — and that’s not because Swift could not do it, but because the coaches would not cut #7 loose and let him.

“There are a lot of great backs in this class, but I think I’m the most versatile,” Swift said during his interview session on Wednesday.

“I think I’m a three-down back, and I can do whatever I’m asked to do. God gave me a lot of ability. I don’t take that for granted. I work hard every day, and I’m a leader.”

If Swift does go to the AFC East, that would put him, Chubb and Michel in the same conference. Furthermore, it would place Michel and Swift in the same division, meaning there would be at least two Michel/Swift battles annually.

The NFL Draft begins April 23rd.