D'Andre Swift NFL Draft 2020: Scouting Report for Detroit Lions' Pick | News, Scores, Highlights, St

May 2024 · 1 minute read
Georgia running back D'Andre Swift runs against Missouri during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)John Amis/Associated Press

—An exceptional athlete with the speed, strength and hands to be a three-down back. 

—Has patience and vision to cut back for big plays; rare start-and-stop acceleration for a running back.  

—Off-the-charts agility; will also use stutter-step or gear-down to slow down defenders. 

—Fits into any blocking scheme or offensive system; will make an instant impact for fantasy football owners.  

—Not afraid to stick his shoulder into a blitzing linebacker or defensive lineman. 

WEAKNESSES

—Doesn't have much weight to put behind his runs; won't get many extra yards.  

—Comes from a Georgia scheme that didn't ask him to take many carries per game.

—Spends too much time looking for cutback lanes; needs to recognize that a three-yard gain is better than a two-yard loss. 

—Suffered a shoulder injury late in the 2019 season.

Swift is unquestionably the best running back in the 2020 draft class, and he's also the most scheme-versatile one. He can excel in an outside-zone scheme thanks to his agility and speed, but he also has the vision and power to run between the tackles. Add in his soft hands and advanced route-running, and it's easy to see why Swift should be a featured back immediately.

PRO COMPARISON: Saquon Barkley/Duke Johnson

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