Predicting the 2020 NFL Season for Lions RB D’Andre Swift

Last year Detroit had a rushing tandem of Kerryon Johnson and Bo Scarbrough who did not give much support to Stafford and the Lions offense. Johnson led the team with a meager 403 yards rushing, forcing the Lions to try and throw the ball almost exclusively.

D’Andre Swift should get the majority of carries this year and should easily be the best running back on the Lion’s roster. Drafted at the beginning of the second round, there are a few recent rookies who could project what Swift will bring to the table. Josh Jacobs and Sony Michel were both draft around the same time as Swift and got significant playing time their first year in the league.

Jacobs helped power an Oakland rushing game last year and recorded 1,150 yards on the ground. Two years ago Michel helped revitalize the Patriots rushing attack by gaining 931 rushing yards. Both of these figures would be massive upgrades for the Detroit Lions and would help open things up for Stafford to be even more effective throwing the football.

This year Swift should become the go to guy which will help bring stability to the Lions. In a full season of work for the rookie a stat line somewhere around 900 rushing yards with 6 touchdowns seems like an achievable goal. The Lions are not going to become a run first team, especially with the weapons Stafford has around him, but having a back who can consistently move the ball forward will be a needed dimension to this offense.

If Swift can become a threat on the ground like many think he is capable of doing, the Lions will have a surprisingly good offense that will be able to compete with anyone.