If the Detroit Lions are going to push D’Andre Swift down the depth chart, it’s worth a phone call for the Chiefs to at least check in.
It appears no one outside of the Detroit Lions front office is entirely sure what they are doing in terms of their roster construction on offense, especially the running back position. But even as they continue to make head-scratching moves, it does begin to push out a player who could come in handy for a team like the Kansas City Chiefs.
To fully explain, D’Andre Swift has been a nice productive piece for the Lions backfield for the last few seasons, but this offseason, Detroit has went all-in on remaking the entire depth chart at running back. Not only did they throw questionable money at David Montgomery—a three-year deal worth up to $18 million—but they also offered up the first complete head-scratcher of a move in the 2023 NFL Draft with their selection of Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
No one is doubting Gibbs’ talent or that Montgomery cannot be a good player, but the Lions have plenty of other roster needs and the use of the No. 12 overall selection on the second-best running back in the draft was a real reach. Together, those two will now form the core of a new backfield behind Jared Goff on offense, which means you have to wonder what happens with Swift.
For the Chiefs, Swift would offer up a still very-young pass catcher who could really become a weapon for Patrick Mahomes out of their backfield next to Isiah Pacheco. Swift has averaged 52 catches per season for the Lions since coming into the league in the same draft class as Clyde Edwards-Helaire. If the Chiefs wanted to move on from Jerick McKinnon with a younger player with greater offensive upside, Swift could be a nice ticket.
Apparently, teams were already calling about Swift even before the draft started, but with the acquisition of Gibbs, Swift is so obviously on the trade block that even more teams will likely come calling. Given the obviousness of the situation and the lack of leverage, it would make sense for Detroit to simply hand him off for a day-three selection.