DAndre Swift landing spots Bengals Cowboys among best trade fits for Lions RB
DAndre Swift landing spots Bengals Cowboys among best trade fits for Lions RB
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The Lions shocked the football world when they drafted Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. It appeared .It's po sible, however, that no one was shocked more than Lions running back D'Andre Swift, who appeared to be in line for a rebound season after losing the starting role to Jamaal Williams in 2022. Williams left in free agency to play for the Saints, and while the Lions signed David Montgomery, that still gave Swift a clear role as the pa s-catching back for the team.The drafting of Gibbs makes that role significantly murkier. Gibbs is a running back with a nearly identical playing style to Swift as an elusive back who is a true weapon in the pa sing game. And with Swift set for free agency after the 2023 season, it appears the Lions are at least signaling that Gibbs will be his replacement.It's no surprise then that from the Lions a day after Gibbs was selected. And with Day 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft still set to get underway, it's po sible the Lions might look to deal the disgruntled back for some draft capital this year rather than wait until after the draft and obtain picks for the following season.MORE: And NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said the team has already been receiving offers, noting that a deal could happen Friday or Saturday during the draft."These are the kinds of deals that happen during draft weekend when you see a veteran e sentially replaced by a draft pick, the team tries to recoup some value so the Lions who had so much productivity out of Swift over the last couple years could end up dealing him after drafting his replacement," Rapoport said.From NFL Draft Kickoff: The have received calls centered around a potential D'Andre Swift trade, while it doesn't appear WR DeAndre Hopkins is going anywhere soon. Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) Swift hasn't exactly run away with the running back role since the Lions drafted him in the second round (35th overall) in 2020 as he's only started 16 games in 40 total appearances, but he's still shown plenty of talent as a dual-threat back. He's averaged 4.6 yards per attempt on the ground (including 5.5 in 2022) and 7.7 yards per reception (8.1 in 2022). Each season in the league, he's tallied at least 500 rushing yards and 350 receiving yards.There are likely several teams that would have interest in making a move for Swift should the Lions wind Michael Brockers Jersey up parting ways with the dual-threat back. Here's a look at a few that make sense for Swift.MORE: Baltimore RavensLamar Jackson is here to stay. And this offseason has made clear the Ravens are intent on finding him some weapons in the pa sing game. They've already signed Odell Beckham and drafted Zay Flowers in the first round. Now how about a running back who can catch some pa ses as well.The most receptions by a running back last year came from Kenyan Drake, who had 17. J.K. Dobbins doesn't catch many pa ses, and is also in the final year of his deal. Adding Swift would help bolster what is already one of the league's best rushing attacks, while also giving Jackson another weapon in the pa sing game.MORE: Buffalo BillsDevin Singletary left this offseason, taking with him the Bills' leading rusher and their best pa s-catching running back. This offseason, they've signed Damien Harris more of a bruising running back than a pa s-catcher and they still have James Cook who showed promise as a dual-threat, but that doesn't mean the Bills should stop looking at running back options.Like the Ravens, the Bills are looking to bolster the pa s-catching room for Josh Allen, as was evidenced by their selection of Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid in the first round. Swift would add another dimension to this offense, and the presence of Harris and Cook could still allow him to carve out his own role while taking fewer snaps and limit the injury risk.Cincinnati BengalsThere are plenty of reasons why the Bengals would have interest in Swift. For starters, Samaje Perine, their third-down back, departed to the Broncos in free agency, leaving Cincinnati with Joe Mixon, Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans as the only returning backs. But Cincinnati has also been widely believed to want tomove on from Mixon following off-field controversies and an expensive price tag in 2023.Swift would help fill multiple needs for the Bengals. He'd be a weapon in check-downs for Joe Burrow, and would give the team more flexibility to cut Mixon and save money before Brian Allen Jersey the start of the season. Cincinnati would likely still be looking to draft another running back in the later rounds, but Swift could take over starting duties and help usher in the team's next starter.MORE: Dallas CowboysThe Cowboys were widely believed to be in the mix for a running back in the draft either Bijan Robinson or Gibbs but neither reached their pick at No. 26. Instead, they went defensive tackle and drafted Mazi Smith. But whether through the draft or otherwise, Dallas is certainly going to want to look at bolstering the running back room.Dallas tagged Tony Pollard and opted to let Ezekiel Elliott hit free agency. That leaves Malik Davis, who had 38 carries for 161 yards last year, as the backup running back. Trading for Swift would give the Cowboys more depth at running back to help spell Pollard and give the team another standout pa s-catching back.Denver BroncosWhen healthy, Javonte Williams is the clear starting running back in Denver. But with his torn ACL, the team is still unsure when he will be returning to the field. Last year, 32-year-old Latavius Murray led the team in rushing yards with 703, and no other ball-carrier had more than 318. If Williams mi ses more extended time in 2023, it will be Perine that will handle leading rusher duties.The Broncos need to improve the running game for an offense that struggled on all sides of the ball last year. Williams and Perine both have succe s as pa s-catching Tyler Higbee Jersey backs, but if Williams is out for an extended period, adding some depth to the room would be beneficial. Swift would likely handle the starting job with Perine coming in on third downs until Williams returns.MORE: Kansas City ChiefsIsiah Pacheco burst onto the scene as the Chiefs' leading rusher in 2022 after being drafted in the seventh round. And while he is certainly lined up for handling the bulk of carries in 2023, he is not as much of a trusted weapon in the pa sing game as Jerick McKinnon was a season ago. However, with McKinnon likely not returning to Kansas City and Clyde Edwards-Helaire as a po sible trade candidate, there is room for another weapon for Mahomes.Making a move for Swift would be another case of the rich getting richer, but the reigning Super Bowl champions could certainly stand to continue improving Mahomes' array of pa s catchers. The wide receiver room saw more turnover this offseason, and McKinnon's 56 catches a season ago could be mi sed if they don't find another pa s catcher in the backfield.Philadelphia EaglesLike Dallas, the Eagles were another team expected to be in the mix for a running back either in the draft or via trade after Miles Sanders walked in free agency. Philadelphia signed Rashaad Penny, who is currently at the top of the running back depth chart with Kenneth Gainwell backing him up. But while Gainwell could be that pa s-catching back, Swift would be a definitive upgrade.At this point, running back might be the weakest position on the offense for Philadelphia. Trading for Swift could be an inexpensive improvement, albeit combining Swift and Penny would make for one injury-prone room. But if healthy, that duo could also do plenty to keep the Eagles as a dangerous rushing team.
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