Tag: Dandre swift NFL Draft

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.”

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.

Charlie Woerner praises Georgia football teammates at NFL Combine

Charlie Woerner, nephew of legendary Georgia Bulldogs safety Scott Woerner, is just happy to be here. “I definitely don’t feel like I have enough tape out there catching balls. So it’s definitely something to go out and prove that I can do.” The …

Charlie Woerner, nephew of legendary Georgia Bulldogs safety Scott Woerner, is just happy to be here.

“I definitely don’t feel like I have enough tape out there catching balls. So it’s definitely something to go out and prove that I can do.”

The tight end is one of ten former Dawgs invited to appear before NFL scouts prior to the league’s 2020 draft.

Answering media members at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Woerner spent a near majority of his public interview singing the praises of his fellow Bulldogs invited to the combine.

First mentioned was tailback D’Andre Swift:

“D’Andre is a great player. I think he’s going to do really well in the NFL. He had a really good three years at Georgia. I wish all the best for him.”

Next, offensive tackle Andrew Thomas:

“I saw Andrew grow a ton, man. When he came in as a freshman, I’d never seen a freshman more ready to play and help out a team.”

Thomas, projected by some as the top offensive tackle prospect in this year’s NFL Draft, received a glowing review from his former teammate.

“As a freshman and to his junior year, he grew a ton. He got stronger and he really understood the game more. It was fun to play with him, that’s for sure.”

Woerner continued:

“To put Andrew out there [as starting left tackle] as a freshman and for him to do what he did in three years at Georgia…we trusted Andrew.”

Woerner’s former collegiate quarterbacks and fellow combine invitees Jake Fromm and Jacob Eason, both of whom declared early for 2020’s NFL Draft, are right-handed. Referring to protecting a righty quarterback’s blindside, he noted that “left tackle is one of the most important positions on the offense.”

On Jake Fromm:

“Jake’s a competitor, man. He’s going to do whatever it takes to win a football game. He’s going to be one of the hardest working guys on the team for sure. He’s going to push everyone around him to be the best.”

Woerner will participate in drills at the NFL Combine on Thursday, February 27 alongside all invited tight ends, wide receivers and quarterbacks, including fellow Georgia alumni Jake Fromm and Lawrence Cager.

Measurements for every Georgia football player at NFL Combine

NFL Combine measurement results for every Georgia football.

This week, a number of former Georgia players are in Indianapolis for the 2020 NFL Combine, where they will be partaking in measurements, on-field workouts, team interviews and medical examinations.

So far, every player minus J.R. Reed has gone through the measurement portion of the week, and we have all results listed for you below.

Here is this week’s schedule for Georgia’s 10 players in attendance.

(Note, Georgia has no players in group 3 — Just 1, 2 and 4.)

Group 1: (Fromm, Cager, Woerner)

Sunday, Feb. 23: Arrive in Indy, Registration, Orientation, Interviews

Monday, Feb. 24: Measurements, Pre-exam at hospital, Interviews

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Media session, Medical exams, Position coach interviews, Psychological testing

Wednesday, Feb. 26: NFLPA Meeting, Interviews, Bench Press, Psychological Testing

Thursday, Feb. 27: Limited testing, On-field Workout

Friday, Feb. 28: Departure from Indianapolis

Group 2: (Blankenship, Thomas, Kindley, Wilson, Swift, Herrien)

Monday, Feb. 24: Arrive in Indy, Registration, Orientation, Interviews

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Measurements, Pre-exam at hospital, Interviews

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Media session, Medical exams, Position coach interviews, Psychological testing

Thursday, Feb. 27: NFLPA Meeting, Interviews, Bench Press, Psychological Testing

Friday, Feb. 28: Limited testing, On-field Workout

Saturday, Feb. 29: Departure from Indianapolis

Group 4: DB (JR Reed)

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Arrive, Registration, Orientation, Interviews

Thursday, Feb. 27: Measurements, Pre-exam at hospital, Interviews

Friday, Feb. 28: Media session, Medical exams, Position coach interviews, Psychological testing

Saturday, Feb. 29: NFLPA Meeting, Interviews, Bench Press, Psychological Testing

Sunday, March 1: Limited testing, On-field Workout

Monday, March 2: Departure from Indianapolis

Here are the measurement results from the nine players so far:

Jake Fromm

Jan 6, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) speaks during media day at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia’s Jake Fromm has received his 2020 NFL Combine measurements. Fromm’s hand size, which is under nine inches, is somewhat concerning. Nine inches is considered the minimum hand size for an NFL quarterback.

Here’s how both Jake Fromm and Washington Huskies QB Jacob Eason measured at the combine:

Ultimately, hand size doesn’t have much correlation with cold weather performance and fumbles, so it shouldn’t drop Fromm too far. That being said, Fromm doesn’t have the measurables of the other elite quarterbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

LSU’s Joe Burrow did have nine inch hands as well. He’ll still be the first pick of the NFL Draft. One-eighth of an inch shouldn’t make too much of a difference for UGA’s Jake Fromm.

NFL player comparison:

Fromm: Colt McCoy

Eason: Carson Palmer/Brock Osweiler

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

NFL Combine measurements: Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift

NFL Combine measurements for Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift.

Georgia running back D’Andre Swift is viewed as one of the premiere backs in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

Swift’s versatility with and without the ball in his hands is what makes him so special compared to other tailbacks.

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.

Viewed as a late first or early second round draft pick, Swift, who has been compared to NFL great Frank Gore, underwent measurements on Tuesday while at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Swift’s measurements are as follows (in inches and pounds):

Height: 5-8 2/8

Weight: 212

Hand: 9

Arm: 29 7/8

Wingspan: 72

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D'Andre Swift NFL combine weigh in

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Below is NFL.com’s pre-draft overview of Swift:

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.

UGA’s D’Andre Swift gets NFL Draft comparison to legend

Georgia Bulldogs star running back D’Andre Swift is an elite 2020 NFL Draft prospect.

Georgia Bulldogs star running back D’Andre Swift will be missed in 2020. Swift, a five-star recruit out of Philadelphia, made the most of his time in Athens and gutted through the Sugar Bowl and SEC Championship with a shoulder injury.

Now, Swift is preparing for the 2020 NFL Draft. Swift is considered among the top running back prospects. He didn’t take a beating in college, so he should have a decent NFL shelf life.

NFL.com is comparing UGA’s D’Andre Swift to NFL legend (he’ll be a Hall of Famer when/if he retires) Frank Gore.

Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) rushes for a gain during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. The against the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 20-17. Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Gore is an interesting comparison for Swift. Gore’s durability in the NFL may never be matched again. Gore has played in 226 games since his rookie season in 2005. He was a third round pick out of Miami when the San Francisco 49ers drafted him.

Gore has made five Pro Bowls and rushed for over 15,000 rushing yards in his career, good for third all-time. D’Andre Swift would take Frank Gore’s career in a heartbeat.

Swift should not be compared to Frank Gore. Swift will run fasted at the NFL Combine (Gore ran a 4.59 forty) and is more of a modern, explosive, and quick running back, while Gore relies on vision, strength, durability, and consistency. Swift is better suited as a receiver. He’s better compared to a back like Dalvin Cook or Kenyan Drake in today’s NFL.

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PFF Analyst: Georgia’s D’Andre Swift ‘not worth a first rounder’

Georgia Bulldog running back D’Andre Swift is set to enter the 2020 NFL Draft as one of the top running backs

Georgia Bulldog running back D’Andre Swift is set to enter the 2020 NFL Draft as one of the top running backs. Will he be the first running back taken?

Swift went 18th overall in one of the latest mock drafts. He’s universally considered one of the most talented backs in the draft. Swift’s main competition to be the first back selected is Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, FSU’s Cam Akers, Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins, Utah’s Zack Moss, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire of LSU.

PFF ranks Swift as the second best running back in the NFL Draft. In fact, a PFF Analyst Jeff Ratcliffe considered a solid, but not an elite back because Swift:

Ran behind the highest graded power 5 run blocking offensive line at Georgia. He had a great situation… he was just solid and solid is not worth a first rounder.

Below is the full video on Swift:

Part of me wants to agree with PFF, but Swift faced numerous stacked boxes due to the lack of a deep passing game last season at UGA. Swift is a nightmare to tackle in the open field with his patented dead-leg juke.

Swift has impressive vision and is versatile. Swift is a better receiver than most of the backs in the 2020 NFL Draft. NFL offenses want running backs, like Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and Saquon Barkley, who are mismatches in both the passing and running game. LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire and D’Andre Swift fit that mold and that’s why Swift will end up as a first round pick provided his shoulder is good to go.

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Where does UGA’s top NFL Draft rank on the ‘Big Board’?

The Georgia Bulldogs had ten NFL Combine invites this year. Where do Jake Fromm and D’Andre Swift check in on the NFL Draft’s big board?

The Georgia Bulldogs had ten NFL Combine invites this year. Expect a similar number of Dawgs to be drafted this season.

But where will Georgia’s best talent be selected? An NFL Draft ‘Big Board’ can help Bulldog fans get a better idea of when their favorite players will be picked. Our current big board rankings are according to Tankathon.

9th (overall): Offensive Tackle Andrew Thomas

28th: Running back D’Andre Swift

55th: Quarterback Jake Fromm

Oct 5, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) during the second quarter against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

62nd: Offensive Tackle Isaiah Wilson

63rd: Offensive Guard Solomon Kindley

If the 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas goes according to this big board, then five Georgia Bulldogs will be selected within the first two rounds.This big board only includes the top 99.

Jake Fromm checks in as the sixth rated quarterback. D’Andre Swift is the number one ranked running back. Only one offensive tackle is rated above UGA’s Andrew Thomas (Alabama Crimson Tide lineman Jedrick Willis). Right tackle Isaiah Wilson is the seventh rated offensive tackle behind his former teammate. Lastly, Solomon Kindley is the best-rated offensive guard.

It’d be interesting if five UGA offensive players go before a single Georgia defender, especially considering the defense’s dominance in 2019. Do you think this big board gets it right?

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Kirby Smart on importance of Georgia football’s 2020 RB signees

Georgia football HC Kirby Smart discussed the importance of bringing in two running backs in the UGA recruiting class.

After Georgia football landed college football’s No. 1 ranked recruiting class, head coach Kirby Smart spoke with the media about why he recruited each position group the way that he did.

As for the running backs, Georgia is losing starter D’Andre Swift to the NFL Draft and back-up Brian Herrien as well.

Waiting behind those two are former five-stars Zamir White and James Cook. But Georgia football coaches knew they needed to take two ball carriers in this class to reload the running back room, so they brought in 4-stars Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards.

The running back recruiting was a juicy story this recruiting cycle thanks to the drama that accompanied 5-star back Zach Evans, who Georgia eventually just passed on it sounds like.

On Wednesday, Smart discussed the significance of bringing in a second running back in this class to go with Milton.

“Getting a second back in this class was key for us. We’re excited about the young man we have, we’ve been after him for a long time, he’s come up to a lot of camps. He plays in what probably is one of the toughest divisions, regions in our state and he’s played a high level. You talk about the people he’s had to play against, he’s been a really good player, I’m talking about Daijun Edwards, and Kendall joining mid-year has been a big addition, too.”

Mel Kiper has two Georgia football players going early in 2020 NFL mock draft

ESPN’s Mel Kiper has two Georgia football players taken in first round of his 2020 NFL mock draft.

ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has two Georgia football players going in the first round in his most recent 2020 NFL mock draft.

With the No. 8 pick in the NFL Draft, Kiper predicts the Arizona Cardinals will bolster their offensive line by selecting Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas. Kiper has Thomas as the first left tackle off the board.

Kiper wrote:

This is about the range in which we could see a run on offensive tackles, and Thomas, who has played on both the left and right, is No. 1 on my board. I debated going with a receiver here; wouldn’t Kyler Murray’s former teammate CeeDee Lamb enjoy catching a few more long touchdown passes from his friend? But this comes down to protecting the franchise quarterback, and Arizona desperately needs help along its line, particularly at left tackle, where starter D.J. Humphries is a free agent. The Cardinals also have some defensive deficiencies, so keep an eye on a defensive back, too.

Running back D’Andre Swift is the second Georgia player that Kiper has going in the first round. He has Swift going to the Miami Dolphins, who possess three first round picks, at 26 overall. Kiper also has the Dolphins taking Too Tagovailoa with the fifth pick. What a tandem that would be.

On the prediction, Dolphinswire.com sounds content with the Swift selection.

Miami’s biggest area of need is improvement in the run game. Forget positional value — Miami has enough picks that they should be focused on finding difference makers for their team. Swift definitely fits the bill as a dynamic three down back.