Detroit Lions get D’Andre Swift after taking Jeffrey Okudah in 1st round
The Detroit Lions kicked off their day two picks by taking D’Andre Swift to go along with first-round pick Jeffrey Okudah, their new CB1.
The Detroit Lions knew they had to upgrade their defense in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and they did so by taking Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, the consensus CB1 in this draft.
Along with Okudah, the Lions certainly have plenty of other needs on their roster including on the defensive line, off the edge, interior offensive line, and at the offensive skill spots.
With their first pick on day two of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Lions selected D’Andre Swift, the star running back for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Swift was considered by many to be the top running back in this class, and with only Clyde Edwards-Helaire going in round one, the Lions are getting really good value right here.
Swift is a prototypical three-down running back and an ideal fit for what the Detroit Lions want to do under the direction of Matt Patricia, who obviously comes from the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick coaching tree.
Belichick has close ties with the Georgia program, and that certainly extends to Patricia as well.
Georgia runs a pro-style offense and one that requires the running backs to be good at everything, which Swift is.
In three seasons at Georgia, Swift had 25 scrimmage touchdowns and averaged a hefty 6.6 yards per carry.
With the Detroit Lions’ struggles in the running game last season and injury concerns all over the place among their current stable of backs, Swift makes a lot of sense. This is a player who can come in immediately as a rookie and compete for the starting gig with Kerryon Johnson.
If nothing else, Swift and Johnson — should they both be healthy — could form one of the league’s toughest duos to defend against.
Next. 2020 NFL Draft: Steals all over day two. dark
No one is happier about this pick than Matthew Stafford, who now has a savvy young running back to create some offense with as a dynamic threat as a ball carrier and receiver.