What You Need to Know:

• You’ve probably read or heard some version of new OC Anthony Lynn classifying his RBs. Here’s his full quote (from The Athletic):
  • “Jamaal is what I’d call a classic ‘A’ back. I like to break the backs down into A and B. My ‘A’ backs are normally my bigger backs. They can run between the tackles, block probably a little better than a ‘B’ back. They can also run the perimeter. I can leave those guys in there for all three downs. My ‘B’ back comes in, he’s a guy that sometimes I want to use in space more. He’s my speed-in-space guy. I feel like Jamaal would be an outstanding ‘A’ back. I like his energy, I like his pad level and the way he runs the football between the tackles.”
• Lynn also indicated this spring that the Lions won’t hesitate to go with the “hot hand” in the backfield. “If you go in and you’re balling, you’re going to stay in,” he said.
• Swift reached double-digit carries in just 2 of the first 8 games last season, averaging 6.8 carries per contest over that span while reaching 50% playing time just once.
• Swift then averaged 63.4% over his final 5 appearances. with no game below 54%. That stretch surrounded 3 missed games: 2 for a concussion, 1 with illness.
• Football Outsiders rated Swift 16th in rushing DYAR and 14th in DVOA among 47 qualifying RBs.
• He checked in even higher as a receiver: 9th and 13th in those categories among 50 qualifiers.
• Among 63 RBs with 75+ carries, though, Pro Football Focus ranked Swift just 46th in rushing grade. That did put him only 1 spot behind Cam Akers, however. Jamaal Williams, meanwhile, checked in 20th.
• Among 61 RBs with 20+ targets, Swift ranked 19th in receiving grade. Williams checked in 32nd.
• Swift delivered 4.48-second speed at 5’8, 212 pounds at the 2020 Scouting Combine, giving him an 81st-percentile speed score among NFL RBs.
• He averaged 6.6 yards per carry and 9.1 per catch (across 73 receptions) in 3 seasons at Georgia. As a rookie, Swift averaged 4.6 yards per rush, compared with teammates Adrian Peterson’s 3.9 and Kerryon Johnson’s 3.5. He did trail Peterson (8.4) and Johnson (9.8) in yards per catch, though, with 7.8.
• Among returning Lions, only T.J. Hockenson garnered more targets last season than Swift’s 57.

Draft Sharks Bottom Line:

Swift presented some flash as a rookie but had a difficult time sustaining a big role or production. The coaching staff that helped limit his opportunities is gone, as are Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson. But the new staff imported Jamaal Williams in free agency and has talked him up as a big contributor. The Lions have also expressed interest in Todd Gurley.

Swift should be the best back in Detroit and should lead the position in carries and targets for the Lions. But this situation has the potential to frustrate with week-to-week workloads. Throw in what figures to be a bad offense overall, and Swift lacks Year 2 excitement unless his draft price drops.