2023 Dynasty Target: D’Andre Swift
Welcome To Our 2023 Dynasty Target Series!
We’re kicking off this year at Fantasy In Frames with our 2023 Dynasty Target Profile series, where each fantasy analyst will provide you with a 5-10 video breakdown of each player’s current team and playing situation, key stats to take away from their career/most recent season, and their dynasty fantasy football value going forward. Once you’re done viewing this article’s comprehensive breakdown, head to our YouTube channel and support us by subscribing here for more great fantasy football content. Here is Rhett’s breakdown of 2023 Dynasty Target: D’Andre Swift!
Player Overview
Heading into his fourth season, few ultra-talented running backs are as divisive as D’Andre Swift. And perhaps rightfully so. He’s never had an ultra-productive season and seems to miss time every year. But make no mistake, D’Andre Swift is among the most talented players at his position in the NFL. The 2020 2nd-round pick has found ways to tantalize fantasy players leading into every season thus far. With his role finally stabilizing under head coach Dan Campbell last season, it makes more sense now, more than ever, to be buying Swift heavily this offseason in what is probably his make-or-break campaign.
Player Summary
Swift will probably never be the workhorse some envisioned him to be by this point in his career if he hasn’t done it yet. That said, we’ve seen non-workhorse running backs produce in big ways on pass-catching abilities alone. We’re looking at you, 2022 Austin Ekeler. And in fact, when picturing what Swift can be, we should look to Ekeler as our guide. No, I don’t mean 100 catch seasons. Rather, Swift should be targeted and seen as a pass-catcher first and foremost. His 48 receptions last year were 12th among running backs despite missing significant time, while his eight total touchdowns were 16th overall among running backs. Moreso, Swift was #6 among running backs with a 15.1 percent target share. His 6.3 yards per touch were 2nd among running backs as well. All this is to say, if his usage gets a boost to the neighborhood of 60-70 receptions, last season’s RB15 is easily an RB1 this year.
Fantasy Summary
Now, it’s not all sugar plums and rainbows with the Swift profile. The law of averages dictates that despite his avoidance of significant injury thus far in his career, he may be due for a significant one this season. But you’ll cross that bridge if you get there and have Jamaal Williams (or whoever Detroit’s other back is) rostered in the event that happens. But Swift’s issue isn’t talent-based. He outproduced Travis Etienne on a fantasy points per game basis last year despite losing 18 rushing touchdowns to Jamaal Williams. If he poaches even a third of those from Williams last year, this is easily a Top-12 fantasy back. In a make-or-break contract year, it’s Swift Season.