2020 NFL Draft: Georgia RB D’Andre Swift scouting report
D’Andre Swift announced he is foregoing his senior season and declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft in a Twitter post on Friday. Here I have his final scouting report.
D’Andre Swift is a plug-and-play three-down back at the next level. He is a very well-rounded running back prospect and makes his case for being the number one running back in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Name: D’Andre Swift
Position: RB
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 215 pounds
Career Stats (43 Games): 440 rushing attempts, 2885 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns, 666 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns
2019 Stats (14 Games): 196 rushing attempts, 1218 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, 216 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdowns
Film Assessment
Games Watched: 2018: Auburn 2019: Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Florida
Strengths: Swift has such a diverse skillset. Physically, he can explode through holes with burst and get to and through the second level in a hurry. He is swift (no pun intended) in the open field. What really excites me about him as a prospect how elementary he makes it look to make a defender miss. From his strong stiff arm to his deadly hard juke, he can break defenders down in any way. In fact, he has showcased his ability multiple times on tape to be able to straight-up hurdle guys.
There is no denying his physical talents, but what makes those traits so effective is his ability to use them efficiently. He is a very smart, patient ball-carrier. He allows the play to develop waiting for a hole to open up and hits that hole with great burst and acceleration. His vision might be his most impressive attribute. He sees open-field very well and has the agility and natural athleticism to change directions quickly to get to where he needs to be.
Swift is one of the best receiving running backs in the country and likely the entire draft class. He is a natural pass-catcher and runs very smooth routes. His fluid hips and quick feet allow him to get separation and make people miss after the catch. He is plus in about every category and is a top 2020 NFL Draft prospect.
Weaknesses: There isn’t much in Swift’s game that you can look at with concern. To be nit-picky about his game, he saw a drop in touchdown production in 2019 with an increased workload. Many opportunities were to be had for Swift at the goal line that he did not capitalize on. Some of the blame could come from his line not getting a push but at times he waited for a hole rather than just pushing through for the yard or two needed.
One thing that may raise a red flag for some teams is that he has never been a bell-cow at the collegiate level. This could concern teams that his body may not be fit for a workhorse running back with the lack of experience in that department. He has the skill set to play every down but his body may not be adapted to that workload which is rare for a top running back prospect in this 2020 NFL Draft class
Vision: 13/15
Long Speed: 8.5/10
Burst: 8/10
Patience: 8/10
Contact Balance: 7.5/10
Receiving Ability: 9.5/10
Ball Security: 10/10
Agility: 9/10
Play Strength: 7/10
Blocking: 4/5
Final Film Grade: 8.55 (Top 10 Film Grade)
Best Film: Auburn ’18
Worst Film: Florida ’19
Best Trait: Vision/Elusiveness
Worst Trait: Short-Yardage Situations
Summary: D’Andre Swift is the epitome of a modern NFL running back. His ability to be a major contributor in not only the run game but the passing game as well is very valuable to have in one guy in today’s NFL.
He is a plus athlete that can almost make defenders miss on command with his quick feet, strong lower-half, and compact build. He has one of the filthiest juke moves that I have seen and uses it so effectively. Once he has a step, there aren’t many defenders catching him with his elite burst and great open-field speed.
He is an every-down back that should find a lot of success on third-down in the NFL. Not only is he a receiving threat, but Swift can pack-a-punch in pass protection. His willingness to stand in the pocket and block blitzing backers is surprising to see in such a notable talent.
Swift doesn’t have a specific landing spot that fits better than the next in my eyes. He can find success in any uniform in the NFL. He is a true every-down running back that has a great blend of athleticism, strength, and vision that projects well to the next level.
With no experience as a workhorse running back, some will be wary of his durability once he gets to the NFL, however, it should be viewed positively as he has no wear-and-tear on his body. He is a fresh body going into the NFL that can contribute at a very high level early. Because of the wear on the bodies of running backs, they don’t typically have long careers filled with prime years (unless you’re Frank Gore) and having a talented back like Swift with little wear is rare.
Next. Arizona State RB Eno Benjamin scouting report. dark
His film grade has him as a top-ten talent, but that doesn’t mean he’ll finish in my top ten when my final big board is released. I put into account positional value into my final rankings and running backs typically get knocked down my rankings because of the depreciation that the position has. Let me remind you though, D’Andre Swift is the best and most complete running back in the 2020 NFL Draft.