Swift gave Dawgs fans countless explosive plays and memories, finishing 7th all-time on the Georgia rushing list in just three seasons with 2,885 rushing yards.
The incoming NFL rookie has put pen to paper and will now begin the next chapter in his football career.
The details surrounding the contract are not yet released, but it is estimated he will be signing an $8.5 million deal, based on standard salary slotting for the No. 35 overall pick.
Barry Sanders shares his thoughts on the Detroit Lions selection of D’Andre Swift, who is apparently a huge fan.
D’Andre Swift is the future running back that the Detroit Lions have put their faith in, selecting him 35th overall in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Barry Sanders left a rushing legacy in Detroit that hasn’t been touched since he retired.
According to ESPN Detroit Lions reporter Michael Rothstein, Swift revealed who his favorite running back ever is.
D'Andre Swift said the first thing that comes to mind about the Lions is Barry Sanders. Said it's his favorite running back.
D'Andre Swift was born three weeks or so after Sanders played his last game for the Lions.
Rothstein mentioned Swift was born just weeks after Sanders’ last game in a Lions uniform. Take that as you will, but I see a little bit of fate sprinkled into this pick.
“I’ve known that we had our eye on him (Swift), one of the best running backs in the draft,” Sanders said. “A guy that can get it done. He can get up and down the field. He had a great career at Georgia. One person that’s really celebrating is Matthew Stafford getting a solid piece at running back. So that’s a very nice addition to the team.”
These are words coming from one of the best to ever do it at the running back position. It will be fun to see Sanders and Swift link up in Detroit as the two both have admiration for each others game. Hopefully Swift can carry the torch and be the next great running back in Detroits Lions history.
Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift ranked as the top preseason 2020 rookie fantasy football player.
Former Georgia running back D’Andre Swift is expected to make a big NFL splash early in his pro career.
Swift, who was drafted in the early second round by the Detroit Lions, is already at the top of predictions for this upcoming season. Sporting News has Swift as the No. 1 2020 fantasy rookie available for next year that can help your team right away.
Detroit had injury problems at the running back position last year, meaning Swift could have a much bigger role than expected early on. He will definitely be used catching short passes in the backfield a lot which will be great for PPR (point per reception) leagues.
Swift was listed ahead of three rookie running backs including the Colts Jonathan Taylor, Chiefs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Ravens J.K. Dobbins. He was also ranked ahead of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who went first overall to Cincinnati in the draft.
Which rookies are going to help your fantasy football team right away?
Sporting News breaks down the top 25 fantasy football rookies in standard re-draft leagues for 2020.https://t.co/Q5DkbJE7fD
“Swift likely will start in a committee with Kerryon Johnson and Bo Scarbrough, but Matt Patricia will end up trusting the Georgia running back and use him in a similar role as Bill Belichick does with Sony Michel. Swift might be inconsistent from week to week early in the season, but there’s a good chance he leads all rookies in rushing yards in 2020.”
Swift could be a solid steal for fantasy owners who will most definitely want to keep him on their radar.
Swift received All-SEC honors in 2019, rushing for 1,218 yards and 7 touchdowns on 196 carries, and 24 catches for 216 yards and a touchdown. Swift is small but compact. His agility and ability to make such hard and swift cuts (no pun intended) will ultimately be what makes him excel at the next level.
He may be 5-8 but he weighs around 220lbs, and that muscle is mostly in his legs. His cut backs and explosiveness are similar to those of New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley.
The Lions finished last season with a record of 3-12-1, after starting the season 2-0-1. This is partially due to losing their star RB’s Kerryon Johnson, who only played in five games, and Bo Scarbrough, who played in just six. Swift fits perfectly with the Detroit Lions because they need a quick-cutting, fast back to mix with their power of a hopefully healthy Johnson and Scarbrough.
Swift gets the opportunity to play with Lions QB and former Georgia legend Matthew Stafford, which will be a sight to see for Bulldog fans.
Watch Swift’s junior year highlights here (video via College Films):
Now, it’s time for you to meet your new running back.
Swift is from Philadelphia, PA where he attended St. Josephs Prep and was ranked as the #4 running back in the 2017 college recruiting class.
He committed to the University of Georgia in September of 2016 in dramatic fashion and still remains the most hype college commitment video of all time.
Swift didn’t choose the easy option. He had an arsenal of seriously talented running backs ahead of him at UGA, including now super bowl champion Sony Michel, and the highest returning PFF graded NFL running back Nick Chubb.
Swift didn’t back down from this challenge, but instead used these players ahead of him as mentors, learning everything he could while he was the #3 or #4 back.
Swift got 81 carries on his rookie season, helping the Dawgs to a Rose Bowl title and nearly a national championship. He split carries with Elijah Holyfield in his sophomore season, tallying over 1,000 rushing yards in a breakout year.
Swift now is coming off his junior year at Georgia, putting up the 7th all-time most rushing yards (2,885) in school history in his three years there.
Watch the shiftiest RB in the draft’s highlights here (Video via JustBombsProductions):
It has been D’Andre Swift’s dream his entire life to hear his name called on NFL draft day, and that dream has finally come true.
Swift finished 7th all-time in rushing yards in school history during his three years playing for the Bulldogs. He helped lead the Dawgs to a Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl and an SEC Championship.
An incredible pick by the Detroit Lions that will provide them with a franchise caliber running back and be an offensive catalyst, hopefully for years to come.
Swift was originally the favorite to be the first RB selected off the board, but in stunning fashion the Kansas City Chiefs selected LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire with the final pick of the first round.
ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit had some great things to say about the Philadelphia native prior to draft day.
“I think he’s a three-down guy, which is what the NFL is always looking for,” Herbstreit said. “Can he run between the tackles? Can he catch the ball on the perimeter and make people miss? I think those of us who have followed his career know he can be that type of guy. He’s not necessarily a blazer, but he’s incredibly quick and can catch the ball. I think he’s the total package, and I’m interested in seeing where he goes and how he fits in as well.”
Congratulations to D’Andre on an amazing accomplishment that came from nothing but hard work and dedication!
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.
