Welcome Home D’Andre Swift! How Howie’s Swift Decision has Set Up the Eagles Running Game for Success

D’Andre Swift is coming home! Swift, a Philly native, was acquired by the Eagles in a trade with the Detroit Lions on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. Swift became expendable after the Lions signed David Montgomery in free agency and drafted Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall pick on Thursday night. Swift joins running backs Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott, adding an exclamation point to an already dynamic Eagles’ backfield.

The Price is Right

So, what did the Birds give up to acquire Swift? Not much is the simple answer. The Eagles received D’Andre Swift and Detroit’s 2023 7th-round pick (No. 249). The Lions received Philly’s 2025 4th-round pick and 2023 7th-round pick (No. 219). It appears the Eagles got a stud RB on a discount, but Swift does come with some concern.

Can Swift Shoulder the Burden?

Swift was a 2nd-round pick out of Georgia in the 2020 draft. The 24-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance as both a runner and a pass-catcher, but injuries have kept him from breaking-out. Swift has missed 10 games and never completed a full season in his 3-year NFL career. Here’s a list of injuries that caused Swift to miss time:

While the concussion can be chalked up to mere bad luck, Swift’s shoulder injury appears to be recurring. He first sprained his shoulder in his sophomore year in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears, then again last year in Week 3 again the Minnesota Vikings. While he avoided surgery both times, his shoulder remains a concern. Furthermore, Swift suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 1 last year against yours truly (the Eagles) and reaggravated the injury only a week later. Now entering his 4th year, it’s hard to tell whether Swift is an injury-prone RB or simply unlucky. Eagles fans are hoping it’s the latter.

Swift Doesn’t Need to Get the Lions Share of Work

The Lions drafted Swift to be a three-down back, but due to injuries, that never came to fruition. Last year, Swift lost the starting role to Jamaal Williams along with nearly all goal-line work. As someone who selected D’Andre with his 1st-round pick in fantasy football, nothing was more frustrating than watching Williams vulture all of Swift’s touchdowns. It seemed like Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell soured on the third-year back early in the season as Swift only had 99 touches compared to 151 touches the year prior.

Fortunately, the Eagles don’t expect Swift to be a workhorse; and while Swift will likely be the lead back to start the season, the Birds have a versatile set of RBs to rely on. Gainwell, Penny and Scott all figure to get their share of work behind Philly’s offensive line.

Swift is Really Good (When Healthy)

D’Andre Swift is really good (when healthy). Swift averaged 5.5 yards-per-carry and scored 5 TDs on the ground in 2022. He caught 48 passes out of the backfield and added another 3 TDs in the air. Eagles fans got a closeup look at Swift’s playmaking ability in last year’s season opener where he racked up 144 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown.

In his short career, Swift has carried the ball 364 times for 1,680 yards and 18 TDs while averaging 4.6 yards-per-carry. He also caught the ball 156 times for 1,198 yards and 7 receiving TDs. Only four other players in NFL history have rushed for 1,500 yards with an average YPC of 4.6 or higher and caught 150 or more passes in their first three seasons. Those players are Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, William Andrews and Philly’s own LeSean McCoy. Not bad company if you ask me.

Sticking to the Script: Another Low-Risk High-Reward Signing

Swift is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He will only cost the Birds a $1.7 million cap hit this season. Like the Rashaad Penny signing, Swift is another low-risk, high-reward, acquisition from Howie Roseman and the Eagles’ front office. Also, like Penny, Swift is a dynamic player with an incredibly high ceiling. The Eagles are hoping Swift can hit his stride this season and replace Miles Sanders’ production on the ground. As a receiver, Swift is an immediate upgrade over Sanders, but he has to stay healthy.

A Recipe for Success

D’Andre Swift will be joining five former Georgia Bulldogs on the Eagle’s roster: Jalen Carter (DT), Nolan Smith (DE), Kelee Ringo (CB), Jordan Davis (DT) and Nakobe Dean (LB). He will also be reunited with his St. Joe’s Prep high school teammate, and newest Eagles’ receiver, Olamide Zaccheus. Set up to succeed in Philly, Swift figures to be the last piece to an explosive Eagles running game.