D’Andre Swift is aware of areas he must improve in next season

After a season that was derailed by an injury in 2021, Lions running back D’Andre Swift knows he has some areas to improve.

In what amounted to 10 games at full health and with a full workload last season, Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. There’s plenty of optimism around him heading toward the 2022 season, with better health a good start to reaching his full potential.

Swift spoke to the media this past week, as many Lions players did with the offseason program starting. The idea of running behind a fully healthy offensive line made him smile, and he’ll have the same head coach and position coach.

The nuances of being a complete NFL running back can prove to be a tough transition. By their third year (as Swift is entering for 2022), the shelf life of the position practically locks in what a back will be. But it isn’t always, and doesn’t have to be, that way.

D’Andre Swift is aware of areas he needs to improve in

Swift talked about what he needs to improve on. Daniel Kelly of SI.com cited four areas Swift needs to improve. They ring true, and Swift seems to be aware of them.

“There’s a lot of stuff,” Swift said. “I’m real critical of myself. I was watching tape the other day, like the first six games. (I) feel like I missed a lot of runs, (need to) always be patient, fall forward, run behind my pads a little bit better, route running (needs) to be more crisp. (There are) a lot of little details and stuff I can work on to take my game to the next level.”

Swift averaged 4.6  yards per carry as a rookie in 2020, then 4.1 yards per carry last season. He was also asked what the next level looks like.

“Playing in every game. I feel like when I’m healthy, sky’s the limit. I know Duce [Staley] is going to take me to that level. (I) trust him, and I know he trusts my ability. Just the little details, making my routes crisper, falling forward. There’s a lot of hidden yardage out there, when I look at the tape from last year.”

The Lions’ offense notably improved late last season, largely without Swift. If he’s healthy and can refine the edges of his game, reaching his ceiling (or at least closer to it) will push Detroit’s offense to a level it hasn’t really seen in years.