Lions running back D’Andre Swift continues to get significant props

Expectations are definitely high for Lions running back D’Andre Swift heading into his third season, and the props keep coming his way.

Last season was a “what if” campaign for Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift. As in, what if he hadn’t basically missed five games with a shoulder injury, and had limited touches in the two games after he returned?

As it was, Swift topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage (1,069) last year, with more than 60 receptions (62). He has acknowledged areas he needs to improve in, but talk of his potential for 2022 has not been hard to find. Staying on the field will be the most critical piece of reaching that potential.

D’Andre Swift continues to draw solid props

Via Fantasy Data, Swift led all running backs with at least 100 carries last season in yards created per attempt (4.07), and he was the only one who reached 4.0. Player Profiler has added a layer of stats to that, with positive comments from “The Podfather” on a fantasy football angle.

Swift was top-five among running backs in yards created per touch (not just per carry), target share, receptions and receiving yards. If he hadn’t missed four complete games, and been injured or lightly involved in three others, those latter three volume-driven stats would have been lined up to be even better.

On Monday morning, Peter Schrager of NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” named his top-five running backs under the age of 25. Swift landed at No. 5.

Swift is inarguably the Lions’ most purely talented running back since Barry Sanders. The key is being able putting it all together. Going into the third year of his four-year rookie contract (remember he was a second-round pick, No. 35 overall, in 2020), the 2022 season looks like the “now or never” moment for the former Georgia Bulldog. If nothing else, and for whatever it’s worth, analysts far and wide think he will blossom into a star this year.