After seeing his usage slowly increase in recent weeks and taking over the starting role in week 10, is D’Andre Swift in line for a league-winning end of the 2020 fantasy season?
After a limited off-season, it’s fair to say that rookie running backs in 2020 haven’t had the most successful season so far. While undrafted James Robinson has had a stellar season, many of the early-round picks such as Jonathan Taylor and Cam Akers have yet to live up to lofty expectations. D’Andre Swift, however, has started to see his usage increase over the last few weeks and appears to be an increasingly valuable asset for fantasy.
Prior to the season, expectations surrounding Swift, who the Lions selected in the second round of this year’s draft, were fairly subdued with a crowded backfield and a below-average team. Swift, however, currently ranks as the RB14 in half-PPR scoring, according to FantasyData, after accumulating a total of 606 yards and eight touchdowns this year.
Swift’s receiving work in particular should make fantasy managers excited. Swift has seen 41 targets so far this year, reeling in 31 catches for a total 275 yards and two receiving touchdowns. As a result, he ranks seventh in receptions amongst running backs and fourth in terms of receiving yards. After solid college production in the passing game, his usage is no surprise, and Swift has now seen at least four targets in all but one game so far this year.
And his overall usage in the offense has also been steadily increasing. Since the week 5 bye, Swift has not seen fewer than ten total touches, up to 21 last week, the most he has seen this year. His production has matched the faith the coaching staff has placed in him, and barring injury, it looks set to be his backfield going forward.
Last Sunday saw Swift’s best performance of his short NFL career, after being named the starter prior to the game. In total he amassed a combined 149 yards and two touchdowns against a solid Washington defense, finishing as the RB5 on the week, according to FantasyData. In comparison, Adrian Peterson had just five total touches, while Kerryon Johnson had just one carry.
On top of this, one of the main reasons to be positive about Swift’s end to the season is the Lion’s upcoming schedule. Over the next four games, Detroit will face the Panthers, Texans, and Packers, all of whom rank in the top five points allowed to running backs this season, according to FantasyData. With each defense allowing a weekly average of more than 25 points to the running back position in half-PPR formats, Swift should be in line for more productive performances in the next month.
On Thursday, however, it was reported that Swift was dealing with a concussion, and there appears to be a good chance he misses this week’s game against Carolina. Even if can’t shake it off and he’s forced to miss this week, managers can rest easy knowing the enticing remaining schedule for Swift in the coming weeks, as well the guaranteed workload when he returns.
Swift looks to be a true three-down back, who the Lions coaching staff clearly want to involve more in all facets of the game. With a great upcoming schedule, he’s in line for a breakout end to the 2020 season and could be a fantasy asset for years to come.