The Detroit Lions used their first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Jahmyr Gibbs, a running back from the University of Alabama. Selected 12th overall, Gibbs is set to be the Lions franchise back.
The Lions now have a plethora of running backs rostered.
Earlier in the 2023 offseason the Lions snagged David Montgomery from the Chicago Bears. They signed the 25-year-old back for three years with a contract worth about 18 million dollars.
The odd man out is currently D’Andre Swift. Swift is entering his third year in the NFL. He was selected with the 35th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Swift is headed toward the third and final year of his rookie contract.
After seeing the two best running backs in the 2023 NFL Draft get selected within the first 20 picks, the Dallas Cowboys should call the Lions regarding Swift’s availability.
With the departure of long-tenured Ezekiel Elliott and the injury to current RB Tony Pollard, Swift is a name many Cowboys fans should eye.
Swift to Dallas makes so much sense.
The talent from the young back would bode well with the West Coast Offense Head Coach Mike McCarthy will implement. Additionally, this move makes sense financially.
Swift is set to make 1.7 million dollars in the 2023 season. Tony Pollard was franchised tagged earlier in the off-season. Pollard signed a one-year deal worth roughly 10 million dollars.
Having Swift as the RB2 ensures Pollard is able to recover fully from the broken fibula injury that he sustained in the 2023 NFC Divisional Round against the San Fransisco 49ers.
Aside from the concerns about injury, having Swift ensures the Cowboys don’t run Pollard into the ground.
Pollard has not seen over 200 rushing attempts in a single season. There’s no telling whether he can handle the workload of a back who’s attempting 200-plus attempts. Having Swift minimizes this as the two will split the carries.
Adding Swift ensures Quarterback Dak Prescott has another weapon.
It’s not a secret that the Cowboys are better when their team is stacked on the offensive side of the ball.
McCarthy has gone on record stating things will look different now that he’s in control of the offensive playcalling. Kellen Moore was the offensive coordinator, who put an emphasis on lighting up the scoreboard.
McCarthy differs from Moore by not seeing the need to score so much.
McCarthy’s focus will be on time management and controlling the clock. In order to control the clock you must have a stellar run game.
Turnovers can disrupt the flow of the game and can shift the momentum. Swift has only committed six fumbles in three seasons.
Swift has been injured before and does have a history of missing games due to injuries. He has stated he’s ready for the start of the 2023 season.
This would be a low-risk high-reward trade for the Cowboys.
The Lions seem to be having fun trading back and adding more picks for future drafts. The Cowboys should make the call to the Lions seeking to add Swift in exchange for a late third-day pick in this year’s draft.
