It didn’t take long for the NFL sharks to sniff blood in the water. As expected, the Detroit Lions are already receiving trade inquiries regarding running back D’Andre Swift following the team’s draft selection of RB Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall on Thursday night.
A report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reinforces the expectation that Swift might not be long for Detroit. Lions GM Brad Holmes was pretty transparent on Swift’s status in his Thursday night press conference, and opposing teams took note.
“Yeah, I mean, D’Andre, he’s still on our roster,” Holmes told the media after Thursday’s session. “He’s still part of our team. He’s still under contract with us. He’s a dynamic football player. So, (taking Gibbs) hasn’t really changed the math there, yet. But, you know, it is early.”
Gibbs plays the same style and role as Swift, an outside-the-tackles playmaker with excellent receiving skills. After signing David Montgomery to a three-year contract in March, there doesn’t appear to be room for Swift, who is entering the final year of his contract.
Sources: The #Lions are receiving trade calls on running back D’Andre Swift, whose representatives have been in contact with the team about potentially moving to a new team. With Detroit drafting Jahmyr Gibbs, the talented Swift appears poised to leave Detroit. pic.twitter.com/Rkf16dylaL
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 28, 2023
What could the Lions expect in return for Swift? It’s difficult to precisely peg his value, but the expiring contract and ongoing durability issues likely limit any compensation for Swift to be a 6th or 7th-round pick in one of the next two drafts.
