Early Evening Lions Links for Friday 4-24-20

D'Andre Swift:

2020 NFL draft: Detroit Lions select Georgia RB D’Andre Swift in second round:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/2020-nfl-draft-detroit-lions-select-georgia-rb-dandre-swift-in-second-round.html

5 things to know about new Lions RB D’Andre Swift:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/5-things-to-know-about-new-lions-rb-dandre-swift.html

NFL Draft analysts: D’Andre Swift gives Lions a dynamic one-two punch at RB:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/nfl-draft-analysts-dandre-swift-gives-lions-a-dynamic-one-two-punch-at-rb.html

Detroit Lions fans loving the D'Andre Swift pick, with hope defense is next:  https://www.mlive.com/sports/j66j-2020/04/07d95df0b94510/detroit-lions-fans-loving-the-dandre-swift-pick-with-hope-defense-is-next.html

Lions draft running back D'Andre Swift:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-draft-running-back-d-andre-swift

A CLOSER LOOK: Running back D'Andre Swift:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/a-closer-look-running-back-d-andre-swift

Lions take Georgia RB D'Andre Swift with No. 35 pick in 2020 NFL draft:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/dandre-swift-detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020/3019157001/

Lions take Georgia RB D'Andre Swift; these highlights show you why:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-picked-georgia-rb-dandre-swift-best-highlights/3024620001/

Lions RB D'Andre Swift addresses bigger need than most realize. Who starts?:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/dandre-swift-detroit-lions-nfl-draft-kerryon-johnson/3022280001/

Lions draft RB D'Andre Swift. But what about Kerryon Johnson?:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/deandre-swift-detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020-kerryon-johnson/3024795001/

New Lions RB D'Andre Swift's dad is ripped, looks ready to play in NFL, too:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/dandre-swift-dad-detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020/3024892001/

Lions bolster backfield, draft Georgia RB D'Andre Swift in second round:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/lions-bolster-backfield-draft-georgia-rb-dandre-swift-second-round/3022168001/

Lions select RB D'Andre Swift with the 35th pick in the second round:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/lions-select-rb-dandre-swift-with-the-35th-pick-in-the-second-round/

How does D'Andre Swift impact Detroit's running back rotation?:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/how-does-dandre-swift-impact-detroits-running-back-rotation/

Instant analysis of the Lions selecting RB D'Andre Swift:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/instant-analysis-of-the-lions-selecting-rb-dandre-swift/

5 things to know about D'Andre Swift:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/5-things-to-know-about-dandre-swift/

D'Andre Swift evaluations from 2020 NFL Draft guides:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/dandre-swift-evaluations-from-2020-nfl-draft-guides/

Detroit Lions select Georgia RB D’Andre Swift in second round of 2020 NFL draft:  https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-select-georgia-rb-dandre-swift-in-second-round-of-2020-nfl-draft/

New Lions RB D'Andre Swift's 'yoked' dad stole the show during the NFL draft:  https://sports.yahoo.com/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-georgia-dandre-swift-dad-darren-jacked-social-media-reaction-000035650.html

Lions try to end long post-Barry Sanders drought at RB with playmaking RB D'Andre Swift:  https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-try-to-end-long-post-barry-sanders-drought-at-rb-with-playmaking-rb-d-andre-swift-233359203.html

Grades:

Walterfootball (D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia - A+ Grade:  I love this pick. The Lions needed someone to challenge or take over for Kerryon Johnson, who can't stay healthy. They upgraded Johnson here with a player who easily could've been chosen as high as No. 18 overall. Running backs dropped because the need wasn't there for the most part in the 17-32 range, so the Lions are getting a steal with the best player at his position in the entire class.):  https://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades2.php

Carlos Monarrez Freep (Lions get an A):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/dandre-swift-detroit-lions-nfl-draft/3022250001/

Yahoo (Swift - Draft Grade: A-.  Pre-Draft Rank: 19.   Eric Edholm's Commentary - The Lions wanted to add juice to the offense, and Swift is exactly that. Can he stay healthy? My only concern. Swift isn’t built to be a workhorse but can be a great complement to Kerryon Johnson and a 15-touch-per-game weapon right away.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/draft/

SI (GRADE:  A-.  D'Andre Swift - Try, try again. That’s what the Lions have been doing at running back ever since Barry Sanders’s unexpected retirement 21 years ago. Swift was a highly refined zone runner at Georgia and will operate mainly out of those designs in coordinator Darrell Bevell’s offense. He has the lateral agility to create his own space, and his potential explosiveness as a receiver could do wonders for a Lions offense that must regain some aerial balance after becoming heavily skewed toward vertical throws in 2019. With sustaining third-year back Kerryon Johnson aboard, expect Swift to fill an Alvin Kamara type role.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2020-draft-tracker

CBS (35. Lions: RB D'Andre Swift, Georgia
Grade: C+. Swift ran through huge lanes at Georgia. Elusiveness lacking. Thick frame with speed. Premier receiving RB in the class.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2020-nfl-draft-grades-and-analysis-for-every-second-round-pick/

SN (35. Detroit Lions: D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia - Grade: C.  The Lions needed to draft a contingency for oft-injured Kerryon Johnson, but despite Swift’s talent, this is a curious pick, a running back this high over more defensive help for Matt Patricia. Swift (5-8, 212 pounds) is capable of getting the tough yards inside and breaking free for big plays in the open field. He also flashed as a receiver for the Bulldogs and can excel in the screen game.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-grades-2020-live-picks-results/1u86adwa8sx4s14uhvepxtxuwe

FTW (35. Swift - Grade: C.  If you’re going to take a running back this high, take one who will have an impact in the passing game. That’s DeAndre Swift. I don’t know if Swift will be a game-changing receiving option like Alvin Kamara or Christian McCaffrey, but he’ll be able to play on all three downs.):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/04/2020-nfl-draft-tracker-live-grades-analysis-round-2-round-3

Analysis:

Detroit News (3 (35). Detroit Lions: D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia - The Lions go running back in the second round for the second time in three years. Swift ran the ball 196 times for 1,218 yards and seven touchdowns during his junior year at Georgia.  Swift had apparently thought he'd go in the first round, and is motivated by the fact that he didn't. Last night, after the first round concluded, he tweeted, "Say no more."):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/live-updates-day-2-nfl-draft/3023648001/

ESPN Mike Rothstein (Round 2, No. 35 overall: D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia - D'Andre Swift's NFL draft profileD'Andre Swift was a feature back in a crowded backfield at Georgia.  My take: Swift is versatile. He can be a receiver out of the backfield, a good blocker and explosive runner. His selection means one of two things for the Lions -- either Detroit is going to go full SEC running back by committee with Kerryon Johnson (Auburn) and Bo Scarbrough (Alabama) in place or the Lions are putting one of the two on notice about their future roles.  The reality on this pick, though, is Detroit passed on many talented defensive linemen to take Swift. Defensive tackle and edge rusher, especially, are spots of need and the Lions took Swift with Ross Blacklock, A.J. Epenesa, Yatur Gross-Matos and Marlon Davidson on the board. To be worth it, Swift has to be better than the Lions last four running backs they've taken in the first or second rounds (Johnson, Ameer Abdullah, Mikel Leshoure and Jahvid Best).  What’s next (setting up Day 3 of the draft): The Lions have two third round picks, Nos. 67 and 85, and figure Detroit will look toward the lines with at least one of those picks since there are holes at defensive tackle and offensive guard. Receiver could be a possibility as well, especially since Detroit's top-five receivers this season are all in contract years.):  https://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/36418/detroit-lions-2020-nfl-draft-analysis-for-every-pick

ESPN Tracker (Swift:  Pre-Draft Analysis:  Swift is an explosive back with excellent burst through the hole and outstanding top-end speed. He's at his best getting outside, excelling as an outside zone runner, but he's also effective between the tackles thanks to his vision and speed. Swift is a complete back. He's a solid route runner with soft hands and the ability to threaten after the catch. He's tough and smart in pass protection. -- Steve Muench.  Post-Draft Analysis:  Kerryon Johnson underwent knee surgery and missed six games in 2019. Johnson also missed the final six games of the 2018 season with a knee injury. Swift is a versatile back who should help improve a run offense that finished 21st in the league and give quarterback Matt Stafford a valuable target. As the top back and 18th-ranked player on our board, he's an outstanding value at this point in the draft. -- Steve Muench):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/rounds

Bucky Brooks' pick-by-pick analysis for Round 2 (36. Swift:  Matthew Stafford has played most of his career without an elite RB1. Swift could change that narrative as a hybrid RB with Christian McCaffrey/Alvin Kamara-like skills. He is an outstanding runner between the tackles and on the perimeter but also flashes elite pass catching skills.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001111142/article/2020-nfl-draft-bucky-brooks-pickbypick-analysis-for-day-2

PFF (PICK 35: DETROIT LIONS — RB D'ANDRE SWIFT, GEORGIA:  And there goes our string of picks we love to start out Day 2. We all know 35th overall is way too early in PFF’s eyes for a running back — there’s just not enough value there. While the value is incredibly poor, the Lions did get PFF’s RB1 and one who can get the job done in the receiving game, which we like in running backs. Swift can route routes from any alignment and has sure-fire hands with only three drops on 76 career catchable targets. Still, this doesn’t remotely justify the pick this early.):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pffs-live-analysis-of-the-2020-nfl-draft

CBS Draft Tracker (Swift - Draft Scouting Report:  Rating: 87.  Strengths:  One-cut-and-go runner.  Good contact balance and can accelerate to top speed quickly.  Weapon in pass game.  Weaknesses:  Needs to reduce fumbles.  Needs to get better in pass protection):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/draft-tracker/

USA Today Tracker (35. Detroit Lions – D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia: Kerryon Johnson, who hasn't lasted the full season in either of his first two years, is officially on notice. Swift, widely regarded as this draft's top back, comes from a long line of accomplished Dawgs runners. He has 56 catches over the past two years, both 1,000-yard rushing campaigns, and might not have to come off the field much in Motown. Since Barry Sanders retired after the 1998 season, Detroit has had just four 1,000-yard seasons out of its backs.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2020/04/24/nfl-draft-tracker-2020-rounds-2-3-picks-analysis-live/3016184001/

PFN (35. Swift - Pauline: The Detroit Lions just broke the hearts of the Miami Dolphins by selecting running back D’Andre Swift. The only sure-fire first-round back on my board, Swift has the toughness to grind it out on the inside as well as the speed to turn the corner, and he’s a terrific pass catcher out of the backfield.  DiCecco: The Lions add who many believe to be the top running back in the class in Georgia’s DeAndre Swift. Swift is a versatile running back, boasting the size to pound the rock between the tackles and the fluidity to turn the corner on outside runs. He’ll team with Kerryon Johnson to man the backfield duties.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/day-2-2020-nfl-draft-live-blog-pauline/

Video:

Mike O'Hara and Chris Spielman break down day 1 of the NFL draft:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/mike-o-hara-and-chris-spielman-break-down-day-1-of-the-nfl-draft

Lions get the best RB in NFL draft in D'Andre Swift:  https://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-get-best-rb-nfl-draft-dandre-swift/3024776001/

Barry Sanders believes D'Andre Swift is 'very nice addition' to Lions:  http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000001111160/Barry-Sanders-believes-D-Andre-Swift-is-very-nice-addition-to-Lions

Lions select D'Andre Swift with No. 35 pick in 2020 draft:  http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000001111158/Lions-select-D-Andre-Swift-with-No-35-pick-in-2020-draft