CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
D’ANDRE SWIFT
HEIGHT/WEIGHT/AGE
5-foot-8
212 pounds
21 years old
BIG PICTURE
In a weak running back draft, Swift may be the best at his position. The latest potential draft pick to come out of Georgia, Swift increased his productivity each of his three seasons, amassing over 1,000 rushing yards the last two years. Small, yet powerful and explosive, Swift also has the finesse to be a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Though he may not be a workhorse type, how many NFL teams are subscribing to that model anymore? Swift will be an effective change of pace option wherever he lands.
COMBINE NOTABLES
4.48 40-yard dash (6th)
35.5-inch vertical
121-inch broad jump
VIKINGS’ COMPATIBILITY RANKING
1 out of 5. Even if the Vikings want to take precautions in case of a Dalvin Cook holdout, selecting a back any time before the third day seems rash since they have five presently on the roster.
HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT DRAFT EXPERTS SAY
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Swift possesses the play traits and running style of a skillful NFL veteran and is the latest in an avalanche of talented Georgia backs. Tempo and decisiveness are his calling cards, making him a highly talented inside/outside zone runner. He’s a cerebral runner who understands block timing and uses quick-cut agility and rare spatial awareness to read and react to defenses beyond the second level. Swift isn’t overly explosive as a home-run hitter and doesn’t run with the violence of last year’s top running back, Josh Jacobs. He can step right in and provide early stability and production as an efficient, every-down back with Offensive Rookie of the Year potential.”
Benjamin Solak, Draft Network: “D’Andre Swift is an early Day 2 candidate for teams looking for a three-down starter in a wide zone system. Swift is a highly effective runner outside the tackles with a unique blend of physicality, acceleration, and body control to maximize space and confound angles when in the second level. Swift has multiple years cached as an important member of the pass-catching game and has a developer route tree and trustworthy hands for the NFL level. Between the tackles and in tight spaces, Swift can adhere too strictly the physical brand of play that Georgia champions, as well as the chalkboard design of the running scheme, which minimizes his playmaking ability. Swift would be better served in a spread offense that maximizes his angular, tempo running style with strong zone flow.”
WHAT PFF SAYS
31% of rushes for first downs or touchdowns
Just 3 pass drops in career
18 carries of 15+ yards (T-19th)
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
