Fantasy Football 2020 Draft: Detroit Lions D’Andre Swift Is Your Diamond In The Rough
When you think of drafting a running back in fantasy football, these four stars usually come to mind first.
New York’s Saquon Barkley, Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott, Alvin Kamara of New Orleans, and of course Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey.
While they are all expected to once again have a great season this fall, one running back who has yet to carry the ball in the NFL may be worth keeping your eye on in the 2020 draft.
Lions finally ready to roar?
The Detroit Lions’ roster is full of talent. Big time talent. So, is it finally time for this team to turn the corner and win the NFC North?
The Lions need a solid running game to complement quarterback Matt Stafford on offense – and D’Andre Swift could be the answer they have been looking for.
The Lions swooped up Swift in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and this kid has the potential to become an instant star.
The former Georgia Bulldogs standout turned in three stellar seasons between the hedges down in Athens, with his 2019 performance topping them all.
Swift surpassed the 1,000-yard mark rushing in back-to-back seasons with 2019 being the best. Swift rushed for 1,218 yards and scored seven touchdowns.
What is even more impressive than those numbers is how easy he made it look. The kid has speed and power and he has received high praise from many experts who believe that he may be better than his former Bulldog alumni runningbacks Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, and Todd Gurley.
That is some serious praise.
Swift makes Lions dangerous
Okay, let’s be clear. When it comes to running the ball, the Detroit Lions have been awful for decades.
Since Barry Sanders retired unexpectedly back in 1999, the Lions have been near the bottom third in rushing in the NFL nearly every year since. That’s 20 years of ineptitude!
Brace yourself Lions fans, you may go from worst to (near) first in rushing the ball and Swift could be the icing on the cake.
Last season, Detroit ranked 21st in the NFL with 103.9 rushing yards per game. Swift, who is expected to team up with Kerryon Johnson and the hard running Bo Scarborough as a backfield trio in 2020 could be poised for a breakout rookie campaign.
The 23-year-old Scarborough showed great signs last season in Detroit after the Lions signed him in November of 2019. As for Johnson, if he can avoid the injury bug he would be a great compliment to Swift.
Keep your eye on Swift, especially if you are looking for that sleeper that not many fantasy players will be looking at early on. He very well could be the steal of the your fantasy draft.
