The Lions made some surprising picks on Day 1 of the draft, a two-investment effort that began with running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall. As a result, D’Andre Swift‘s time in the Motor City might be coming to an end.
Detroit’s Gibbs pick has prompted teams to contact the Lions regarding a trade, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. It is unclear if the Lions are shopping the former second-round pick, but Fowler adds Swift’s camp has spoken with Detroit brass about a change of scenery.
One season remains on Swift’s rookie contract. The Georgia product arrived in Michigan before the current regime did, going off the 2020 draft board 35th overall during Bob Quinn‘s final draft running the Lions’ front office. With Gibbs set to complement free agency addition David Montgomery, Swift has run into a roadblock with the NFC North franchise.
“Yeah, I mean D’Andre is still on our roster,” GM Brad Holmes said Thursday night, via the Detroit News’ Justin Rogers. “He’s still a part of our team, he’s still under contract with us. He’s a dynamic football player. So, it hasn’t really changed the math there, yet. But it is early, so. It didn’t really change we just kind of put Jahmyr in his own separate box and just got really excited about the player, didn’t really have any bearing of D’Andre.”
While Detroit opted to swing for a big-play running back Thursday night, Swift’s tenure has not been unproductive. The Lions swung and missed on some high-value running backs during the 2010s (Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure, Ameer Abdullah, Kerryon Johnson) and the Holmes-led regime will attempt to reverse this trend, but Swift exited his third season with 25 career touchdowns. The former SEC standout has been a useful player in Detroit, though perhaps not as effective as the team would like.
Austin Ekeler‘s trade request did not produce much of consequence, but Swift would not cost as much in terms of salary or trade compensation. Then again, this year’s free agent market illustrated the tepid interest in non-star-caliber backs. Swift, 24, is attached to a $1.77MM base salary in 2023. The Lions gave Montgomery a three-year, $18MM deal to replace Jamaal Williams, who received a Lions offer but signed with the Saints. Williams led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season; the ex-Packer’s surprising production diminished Swift’s standing in Detroit.
The Lions made Swift the second running back drafted in 2020, behind only Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Detroit has received better production from its choice compared to Kansas City, but injuries have slowed Swift. He battled ankle trouble last season, a shoulder problem in 2021 and missed two games because of a concussion in 2020. Overall, Swift has missed 10 games as a pro.
The dual-threat option has still averaged 959 scrimmage yards per season. In 2021, he broke through for back-to-back 130-plus-yard rushing efforts. Though, the shoulder injury slowed him shortly after that stretch. Last season, the Lions gave Williams 262 carries. The vocal veteran thrived, but Swift (99 totes) expressed frustration about his role midway through the year. With Montgomery and Gibbs looking set to split time next season, Swift may soon see a chance at a fresh start.
I’m guessing this won’t get a 5th rounder like Okudah. A conditional pick upgrading on % of Snaps would make sense. A 7th becoming a 6th in 2024? $942K Dead Cap hit and $1.7 Cap savings for 2023.
I can Seattle jumping and grabbing him with a late round pick. Need a RB behind Walker.
As a seahawks fan I agree 100%..plus its been years since we have had a RB go a whole year without injury. Wouldn’t mind shooting for the moon and seeing if titans really are willing to trade Henry
Lions would probably like to get into the 4th round. I’d be fine with Swift and a 5th for a 4th and a 7th.
For a one-year rental? Aim much lower, especially if they want one of this week’s picks.
At least he’s only entering age 25 season, so a 4-year deal from some team is not crazy and he doesn’t have Henry or Zeke wear and tear.
This is the kind of move that teams with cap-devouring QBs you are going to make more of in future years, i.e., former picks that might otherwise be extended or have options picked up are going to be discarded for cheaper versions of themselves.
Would make sense to send him to Carolina and reunite him with Staley
I don’t think he was a Staley guy. Staley’s guy was Williams.
hopefully this could be a nice pickup for my Eagles. I really was one of the Eagles fans that wanted RB- Bijan Robinson at number 10, and since we didn’t get him because he went to Atlanta at number 8 I think DeAndre Swift would be a nice pickup for the Eagles.
everybody knows the Eagles have been taken Georgia Bulldogs like crazy, and Swift just happened to go to Georgia, and he grew up and went to high school in Philadelphia plus we have a need for a running back. he’s relatively cheap especially for a player of his caliber who is going to be on a contract year wanting to have a big year to cash in next year. there’s just so much playing for Howie to go get him!
No way they trade him in the nfc to be honest. If he’s healthy -he’s a great talent and they don’t want him going to another team that could ruin their chances. I honestly think they just hold on to him and have a 3 headed monster in the backfield.
Well I was wrong …gave him up for nothing
I doubt that swift is available for a trade. The lions drafting of a RB in the first is their wat of wanting to run the ball way way more than they did in past years. Plus losing Williams they needed to add depth
David Montgomery was signed as the Williams replacement. David Montgomery is considered to be an upgrade as far as talent. Jamal had an incredible year but Lions staff said he missed wholes the O-line opened for him. They believe Montgomery can hit those holes more consistently. Gibbs is a talented back, no way he is RB3 on depth chart. Swift has trade value and if there are offers the Lions should move him.
However if this is just them wanting to add depth incase injuries occur I feel like they could have just grabbed a different RB in a later round rather then using pick #12 imo.
Lions are crazy to not trade swift even if it’s just for a 7th in this draft, your gonna sit on a guy who will just leave after a year when you have Monty and Gibbs being thunder and lightning?
Honestly no need to. With JMO being out I see them using Swift and Gibbs more often as they haven’t did anything different for their WR except adding tight end Laporta.
Bengals would be a good fit having lost Perine and an aging Mixon. Swift is still young and a great athlete. Injuries have kept the miles down also. If he can play 75% of the games he’d be worth the gamble.