Projecting production for Detroit Lions rookie RB D’Andre Swift

Comparing Dalvin Cook to Lions’ Swift

Lastly, we will cite a “cautionary tale” in using Dalvin Cook from the Minnesota Vikings as a comparison for D’Andre Swift. As Detroit Lions fans, we do have to admit that the rigors of professional football take a huge toll on players and that a rookie is unaccustomed to the strain of a 16-game schedule. Cook came out of Florida State in 2017 and was as explosive of a player as any in recent memory.

The 5-11, 210-pound former Seminoles star is also a three-down player who fell past the first stanza of the 2017 Draft, in part due to character concerns. Taken with pick 41 overall, Cook is similar in speed but possibly not quite as explosive as Swift. He ran a 4.49-second-forty, with lower broad and vertical jumps, measurements from the Draft Scout website.

Minnesota had Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray sharing duties with Cook, Murray ending as the leading rusher with 842 yards and 8 scores. McKinnon chipped in 570 yards rushing and another 421 receiving with 5 touchdowns combined. Cook only started 4 games before being injured against the Detroit Lions, amassing 354 yards with 2 trips to paydirt, PFR stats here.

Cook was averaging 4.8 yards-per-carry in his shortened rookie campaign, though. He wasn’t a big contributor in the passing game, only catching 11 receptions for 90 yards because McKinnon was the primary receiving threat out of the backfield. Cook has since caught 40 and 53 receptions in his following seasons, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Long-term, Swift seems destined for similar production to Cook as both a runner and receiver but hopefully, we can skip the rookie injuries. **Fingers crossed**