2020 Rookie Class: An Early Look at D’Andre Swift, RB Georgia

When you think about the NFL game today and how fantasy points are scored, you want a running back who can not only bang between the tackles, but also give you upside in the receiving game. The prospect in the 2020 class who brings both of these skills to the table more than any other is University of Georgia running back D’Andre Swift.

AS A RECRUIT

The 5’9”, 215-pound Swift was a five-star recruit in the 2017 class. According to 247sports, he was the number four overall ranked running back, and the 33rd ranked overall player with a composite score of 0.9838. The only running backs ranked ahead of him in the class were: Najee Harris, Cam Akers, and Stephen Carr. His offer list included Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, and Oklahoma to name a few.

He was a 2017 U.S. Army All-America Bowl selection and was named to the 2016 All-USA First Team by USA TODAY. With a verified 40-yard dash time of 4.43 seconds and three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons in high school, there’s no wonder why he was such a highly-touted recruit.

COLLEGIATE CAREER

When you look at Swift’s numbers without context, it’s easy to think that his production isn’t all that impressive. However, during the Mark Richt era as head coach from 2010-2016 and Kirby Smart from 2016-present day, no Georgia running back has exceeded 224 carries in a season.

During this time, Georgia had: Todd Gurley, Sony Michel, and Nick Chubb as their notable ball carriers. Each season during this time, two rushers have hit at least 150 carries, until this past year where Swift dominated with 195 and Brian Herrien placed second with 103.

Statistics from sports-reference.com.

ATHLETIC PROFILE

Swift’s game reminds me of a combination of Brian Westbrook, Christian McCaffrey and LeSean McCoy. He plays with power, speed, quickness and efficiency.

These three players are high praise for the incoming rookie I know, but he is a complete running back with no glaring red flags to his game. Of course, a couple more inches of height would be nice, but he’s built solid and weighing around 215 pounds leaves me no concern about his ability to withstand punishment. His verified 40-yard dash time coming out of high school shows that he has the juice needed to be a difference-maker at the next level.

Now let’s get to these physical attribute comparisons. It’s worth noting that these are trait comparisons, not who I think he will become at the next level. Much like the characters in a fighting video game, if Swift had a finishing move it would be his dead leg which is absolutely lethal. His ability to put his foot in the ground and abruptly change direction with force without losing his speed is worthy of a flawless victory. Both McCaffrey and McCoy have this in their running back repertoire, but prime McCoy might be the best example of this skill-set.

D’Andre Swift’s dead leg is so nasty. pic.twitter.com/GGPyBoySqX

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) May 4, 2019

When you talk about the ability to make defenders miss in the open field, Westbrook was one of the best during his time at making this happen. He was not the most athletic or physically imposing runner but his vision and field IQ allowed him to thrive between the tackles and in space. Swift has shown an ability throughout collegiate career to set defenders up and create in spaces where most can’t. He can make defenders miss in a phone booth; a trait that will only aid him in the pros.

https://twitter.com/RayGQue/status/1135241435484233728?s=20

When you think about the best all-around running backs in the game today, one of the first names out of people’s mouths is Christian McCaffrey; and rightfully so. He encompasses all of the above-mentioned traits and a lethal pass-catching acumen that we haven’t seen since the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshall Faulk. Swift can line up all over the offense and be utilized as a true weapon in the receiving game; much like CMC. While it’s true that any runner can occasionally take a well-blocked screen to the house on any given Sunday, Swift is dynamic in that department and has the ability to take those that aren’t perfect to the end zone. This sure sounds a lot like that #22 in Carolina.

D’Andre Swift taking a screen pass to the house. #DevyWatch pic.twitter.com/Ediuw1EuoT

— Greg Brandt (@devywarehouse) September 14, 2019

STRENGTHS

• Position flexibility
• Lateral quickness and agility
• Vision
• Burst and acceleration
• Ability to line up in a slot receiver role
• Football IQ
• Low mileage

WEAKNESSES

• He could run with more power
• Pass protection
• Injury history
• Top-end speed

DRAFT PROJECTION

With this class being as deep as it is for the running back position and teams wising up and not spending top draft capital on running backs, it wouldn’t shock me to see some of the top guys pushed down the board a little. But Swift won’t wait long to hear his name called, even with the ‘running back position doesn’t matter’ narrative gaining steam. His versatility, production, and low college usage will warrant an early pick for those teams in need of running back help.

NFL Draft Projection: Top 40 Pick

DYNASTY VALUE

A re-occurring theme you are going to hear throughout this entire draft season is landing spot, landing spot, landing spot. I’m not trying to take the easy way out here but it is so true. This class easily goes ten-deep at this position; so, when and where these players are drafted will be crucial in their dynasty valuation.

Best case scenario – If Swift is draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or Houston Texans, all teams that may be in the running back market, he would immediately slot in as a top-ten dynasty running back. Absent these landing spots, based on our current DLF rankings he’d still be a top-15 running back.

With scoring formats that place a premium on receptions, having a runner who can not only handle between the tackle carries but is proficient in the receiving game places these type of players in a different category. I’ve long maintained there’s a big difference in a running back who can catch passes and a running back who can be used as a pass-catching weapon. Swift is one of a few backs in this class who can be deployed as a true weapon in the passing game. If there were a player who could have the same level of impact as a Christian McCaffrey at the next level with his ability and upside, his name is D’Andre Swift.

Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: Top five Pick