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Dominick Petrillo breaks down why D'Andre Swift is the best fantasy running back to employ from the Detroit Lions going forward.
It's not a question whether it is D’Andre Swift's time in Detroit. The statement is simple: it is D’Andre Swift's time in Detroit. At least it would be if they were smart.
With the Bears faltering lately and Minnesota still without a winning record, the Lions have a chance to do something in the division or at least make a Wild Card run. This will not happen though if they continue to rely on Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson.
Yes, both of these players have veteran status. They deserve respect but they are not winning games for the Lions the way Swift did in Week 10 against Washington. Neither one has the explosive nature of the rookie and both limit what could be a top-10 fantasy running back for the rest of the season.
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The Talent
On 27 fewer carries, D’Andre Swift has only 40 fewer rushing yards than Adrian Peterson this season. This is due to his elusiveness. Defenders who would have been bulled over by Peterson in the past are now tackling him. This has led to a 3.8 yards per carry average for AP while Swift has rushed for 4.7 yards per carry. Swift also has four rushing touchdowns on 70 carries compared to a total of three for Peterson and Johnson on 127 carries.
It is clear that Swift is the future for Detroit. Not just a runner, he is also averaging four targets per game and more than three receptions. He is the new generation of running back, a smaller back (5’8, 212lb) who may not get 25 touches a game but can do everything which is needed to help the team win. If they can continue to build their offense and get players to complement Swift and Kenny Golladay, Detroit may start being relevant for the first time since The Jackson Five was popular. This would be great, not only for Lions fans who have lived through so much pain, but also for fantasy managers who want a top-10 back in Detroit.
Swift got his first official start of the season in Week 10 and saw a season-high 76% market share of carries in the backfield. He came through with 81 yards on the ground and another 68 as a receiver along with a touchdown. Unfortunately, we've seen this happen before where he exploded in Week 6 for 116 yards on what was previously his high of 14 carries. The next week, he only carried the ball nine times. This is why he's barely been fantasy-relevant, through no fault of his own.
image taken from RotoViz
If Matt Patricia does the sensible thing, he will keep utilizing Swift more as the season progresses and fantasy managers will benefit from his talent.
The Other Options
Adrian Peterson
Peterson has been one of the best running backs of all-time for many years. He is clearly the best running back of the now fading generation of running backs. But he is an ancient breed of runner. This is to say, just a runner. He has never been a pass-catcher in his career. The only reason he played on third downs was due to his talent of being a threat to opposing defenses. This is far from the case anymore and Detroit needs to stop using him like he is still a threat to break one off.
With 371 yards and two touchdowns on 97 carries in 2020, Peterson is a shell of his former glory. At 35 years old, his body is breaking down quicker than it has in the past. Especially at a position like RB where the physical nature means many players do not last far into their 30s, much less their late 30s.
At this point, Peterson is sticking around to gather more yardage and touchdown stats to help with his legacy as an all-time great. With seven Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro nods, this legacy is already solidified. Not to mention coming back less than eight months from a torn ACL to rush for the second-most yards in an NFL season in 2012. This was in the past, and it is time the Lions realize this and give a few more carries to Kerryon Johnson, along with a lot more work to Swift moving forward.
Kerryon Johnson
The third-year back from Auburn has thus far been a severe disappointment. He has not been able to stay healthy in either of his previous two seasons. This season is no different as he is being usurped by Peterson and the rookie Swift. This does not bode well for a player who will be heading into a contract year in 2021.
Although he has found his way on the field in all nine of the Lions' games, Johnson has only 112 yards and one touchdown on 30 carries to speak of. A pass-catcher in the previous season, he is averaging only one target and less than one reception per game this season. He has 79 yards on eight receptions as the younger, more talented Swift has taken over this role in the offense.
After coming into the league with so much promise, Johnson looks to be the backup to Swift moving forward into next season. Peterson will likely be gone, and Swift will surely take over. For the sake of fantasy teams everywhere, please do it now.
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