After the Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, the writing appeared on the wall for D’Andre Swift. Two days later, Detroit will part ways with its 2020 second-round pick.
The fourth-year back is headed to the Eagles in a Saturday swap, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. While this is yet another Georgia alum coming to the Eagles, Swift is a Philadelphia native. The Eagles are sending the Lions No. 219 this year and a 2025 fourth-rounder, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In exchange, Detroit will send No. 249 this year to Philly, Schefter adds (on Twitter).
Pre-draft reports connected the Eagles to Bijan Robinson, but after the Texas running back went to the Falcons at No. 8, the Eagles traded up one spot to select Jalen Carter. In a Georgia-filled weekend for the defending NFC champions, they will acquire a contract-year running back. Swift joins Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott and free agent signing Rashaad Penny on Philly’s roster.
It should be expected the Eagles’ Miles Sanders replacement effort is complete via this trade and the Penny addition. While Swift has dealt with some injury issues, he represents a much safer bet than Penny, who is coming off yet another major malady. Swift has missed 10 games in three seasons but showed flashes as a dual-threat option during his three-year Detroit stay.
Swift has 25 career touchdowns, posted 1,069 scrimmage yards in 14 games in 2021 and averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season. However, the Lions primarily used Jamaal Williams as their 2022 ball carrier. This caused Swift to voice frustration about his reduced role. The Lions have since signed David Montgomery to a three-year, $18M deal and drafted Gibbs, who will complement the ex-Bears back and work as a receiving threat.
Swift, 24, battled ankle trouble last season, a shoulder problem in 2021 and missed two games because of a concussion in 2020. He also ripped off back-to-back 130-plus-yard rushing games in 2021, raising his profile. The Eagles, who have produced top-shelf rushing attacks in each of the past two years, will see if they can coax quality production from the former No. 35 overall pick.
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