Handing Out Grades for the Detroit Lions’ 2020 NFL Draft Class
#35: D’Andre Swift, Running Back, University of Georgia
This pick came as a bit of a surprise for most fans and media members but was an example of taking the best player available on the draft board at a position that, while not the biggest need, did require an additional piece. Many expected Georgia running back D’Andre Swift to go anywhere between the 18th to 32nd overall picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Instead, he fell out of the first round all together when the Kansas City Chiefs reached for Clyde Edwards-Helaire with the 32nd overall pick. After that, the top two picks in the second-round were wide receivers, the Lions got to grab the best runner in the draft with the 35th overall pick.
Swift is quick and fast as a runner, hitting holes created by the offensive line with an impressive burst of speed. Once he gets into the open field, good luck bringing him down. Swift’s speed and burst are already impressive enough, but when in the open field he becomes a whole new problem.
He has excellent contact balance and won’t go down after just one hit to his upper or lower-body; if you want to bring him down, either bring a friend or hit him straight with your entire body. Perhaps the best thing he brings to the table though is his devastating dead-leg move.
Swift may come into the NFL as the best dead-legger in the league, as his ability to plant that leg and burst the opposite direction is second-to-none. Just turn on the tape and watch him go. He fits the Lions’ offensive scheme very well and adds more value as a pass-catching terror as well.
The biggest gripe to make with this pick isn’t about the player himself, but rather the value of taking a running back so early in the draft just a few years after trading up for Kerryon Johnson. The duo of Johnson and Swift, however, combined with a couple of the later picks, will prove to be helpful to the Detroit Lions offense.