Eagles Film Review: Should D’Andre Swift be back?

It’s the NFL offseason, so, it’s time to get into the Eagles’ upcoming free brokers earlier than we get into draft season. This time, I’m going to take a look at D’Andre Swift who signed for the Eagles final yr.

Beforehand: Haason Reddick assessment.

Stats

The essential numbers look actually good however among the underlying ones usually are not nice.
I’m somewhat shocked he ranked 18th in explosive charge contemplating how good the offensive line was. I hoped he can be within the high 10 contemplating his model.
Rating forty eighth in yards after contact isn’t nice, however it’s additionally not stunning contemplating Swift’s operating model. He ranked 14th in missed tackles forces which highlights his model.
I’m not going to faux to be an professional in operating again stats. So I don’t actually know the way that is measured. However rating thirty seventh in ‘Speeding Yards over Expectation per try’ doesn’t really feel nice, does it?

Strengths

I’m not going to do strengths and weaknesses like I usually would do with a brand new signing, as a result of I broke down D’Andre Swift final yr! You’ll be able to learn it right here. I’m going to make use of among the similar feedback from final yr’s assessment however replace the article with some clips from this yr and replace them if I really feel I have to.

+ He is among the most explosive backs you will notice. He seems like he’s shot out of a cannon at occasions. He beats individuals regularly together with his acceleration. He doesn’t decelerate when he has to barely change route or when catching the soccer.

+ He’s nicely constructed for his dimension and will not be an influence runner, however he can run by poor arm tackles with out slowing down and stiff arm defenders away from him.

+ He’s excellent in house, particularly on brief passes and screens. His burst and acceleration are unbelievable when he has room to run into.

+ Excellent agility, particularly in tight areas. His footwork is excellent and he can burst in numerous instructions with ease.

+ His use of tempo is unbelievable. You see defenders take dangerous angles so regularly and it’s as a result of he can cease and begin on a dime. His tempo mixed together with his elite acceleration to burst previous defenders.

+ He’s an awesome route runner and might be a nightmare for any linebacker. He’s actually good on angle routes however he has the velocity to run wheel routes too.

+ He’s not simply an outdoor runner who wants house and he exhibits imaginative and prescient and nuance on inside carries to comply with his blocks and discover gaps.

+ Got here from an offense that runs a wide range of hole/zone and from shotgun/beneath heart. He’s versatile.

Weaknesses

– I had this as a power final yr

“Greater than prepared as a cross protector. You don’t need him cross defending that usually, however he can do it.”

I’d change my opinion after watching him this yr. I don’t assume he’s an awesome cross protector in any respect.

– Isn’t the kind of again to fall ahead and push a pile. He’s not constructed to be a ‘foundational’ again. He’s a ‘function’ again at greatest.

– He may be responsible of doing an excessive amount of at occasions. Generally there’s an apparent lane with blockers in entrance and he’ll attempt to do the not possible.

– He doesn’t have elite ‘wiggle’. He’s extra straight-line quick and gained’t at all times make defenders miss one-on-one except he has velocity already constructed up. He’s not like a Shady McCoy who would break ankles together with his jukes within the backfield.

– I’ve stolen this one from the legend Jimmy Kempski, however Swift at all times appears to worsen because the season progresses. The numbers again this up.

– I don’t perceive what occurred to him within the receiving recreation. 23 of his 39 receptions got here within the first 6 weeks of the season.

-Damage historical past the previous 3 years has clearly impacted his profession. Some fascinating knowledge right here through Draft Sharks, who outline him as having a ‘very excessive danger’ of harm subsequent yr.

General

So, it’s truthful to say that I acquired the Eagles’ operating again rotation very flawed final yr. I anticipated Swift and Rashaad Penny to be a 1a/1b model of assault. That didn’t occur, did it? I nonetheless assume my evaluation was fairly truthful on Swift. I believe Swift is an explosive as they arrive, however will not be as dominant on a per-snap foundation as you desire to from an impressive operating again and he generally is a irritating watch at occasions.

It didn’t take lengthy for me to fall in love together with his movie as soon as once more. My goodness. Swift is among the most explosive operating backs you will notice and he’s the right match for the Eagles. He’s mainly a greater, extra explosive model of Kenny Gainwell. I like Gainwell, however watch the 2 facet by facet and it’s not shut. Swift is simply extra explosive.

I’m an enormous believer in highly effective operating backs on early downs who can break tackles (it’s simply my philosophy) so I wouldn’t need Swift to be my ‘foundational’ or beginning operating again. Pairing him with Rashaad Penny is simply excellent. I anticipate Penny to take a lot of the early down work and Swift to be on the sector on each third down. It’s such an superior backfield (if they’re each wholesome in fact). I may see Penny taking about 55% of the carries and Swift having round 35% with 5-7 targets per recreation. The Eagles haven’t focused their operating backs a lot lately however… the Eagles haven’t had D’Andre Swift lately. He’s so significantly better than Sanders out of the backfield. I’m wondering if the Eagles will use extra 2-back units with each Penny and Swift on the sector too, after which movement Swift to extensive receiver.

So would I re-sign Swift? I’d not except the Eagles can get him again on an affordable 1-year deal. I do like Swift, and I’m not against him returning, I simply assume the Eagles must be cautious about overspending on a operating again who will not be within the elite tier of backs.

If a workforce goes to pay Swift the kind of deal and cash that Miles Sanders acquired final yr then I’d cross. Miles Sanders acquired 4 years $25m with $13m assured. I guess they remorse that deal.

Spotrac have Swift predicted to get 4 years $27m which might pay him because the eighth greatest operating again on a per-year foundation. I’m not certain that Swift is sweet sufficient to be paid as a top-10 expertise on the place. I’d assume the assured cash would look just like Sanders on this case, and I believe Swift is a extra gifted again, so I wouldn’t wish to commit greater than $13m to him. I believe Swift is a particularly gifted again who suits the offense nicely, so I can see why the Eagles workers would wish to deliver him again.

If the Eagles do determine to deliver again Swift, I’d hope they’re taking a look at a 1 yr ‘show it’ model deal the place they don’t trigger cap issues down the road. Josh Jacobs acquired 1 yr $11m final yr and I believe he’s a much better again than Swift, so I’d guess the Eagles may get Swift for a bit lower than that. I believe Swift is a extremely good participant, and I utterly admit that I’m biased in the kind of operating again I need the Eagles to construct round and Swift simply isn’t my kind. If Swift is again, I hope that doesn’t cease the Eagles from including a gifted again within the draft both.