Will D’Andre Swift actually be a top-10 pick in 2022 fantasy drafts?

There’s plenty of positive buzz about D’Andre Swift in fantasy football circles, and a post-free agency mock from CBS adds to it.

In what amounted to 10 games of substantial action last season, Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift posted more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage (1,069). Counting the game he suffered a shoulder injury in (Thanksgiving Day against the Chicago Bears), and the final two games of the regular season he played in after missing four full games, he had 94 total yards in the final three games he played in.

Through Week 11, Swift was a top-10 running back in fantasy (RB9–standard, RB7–0.5-point PPR, RB5–PPR). So the positive buzz around him looking to the 2022 season is well-founded, even if it’s a little aggressive or layered with downside.

The improvement the Lions’ offense showed late last season, largely without Swift of course, is a big picture positive for his 2022 outlook.

Post-free agency fantasy mock builds the positive buzz for D’Andre Swift

CBS Sports recently gathered analysts for a 12-team post-free agency fantasy mock. Here’s how the first round looked.

1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
2. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
3. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
4. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
5. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
6. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
7. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
8. D’Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions
9. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
10. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
11. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins (a Kansas City Chief at the time of the mock, before the article was posted)
12. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

At No. 8 overall, CBS Senior Fantasy Editor Chris Towers went with Swift–the seventh running back off the board for some added context. What may stand out to some is Swift being drafted before Dalvin Cook. Even with similar durability concerns Cook is thought to be in a better situation, and there’s now an offensive mind (Kevin O’Connell) in place as the head coach in Minnesota.

It’s obviously very early, and things can change. But Swift seems well in line to be a first-round pick in fantasy drafts this summer.

If you’re on the clock in the back half of the first round in a 12-team league, would you embrace some risk and take Swift? Is Jamaal Williams then practically a must-draft as the handcuff with your final pick?

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