Thumbs up or down: Eagles beat writers weigh in on the D’Andre Swift trade

Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni said after the trade for D’Andre Swift that they weren’t necessarily looking to add another running back, but once the Detroit Lions drafted Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, they saw an opportunity to bring the St. Joseph’s Prep product home. I’m not sure if that’s entirely the truth. Roseman and Sirianni probably wanted to protect the feelings of Rashaad Penny, Kenny Gainwell, Boston Scott, and their other running backs.

But I also think they wanted them to know that Swift isn’t going to come in and automatically become the Eagles’ workhorse back. He’ll probably get the most snaps, but I think Sirianni will take more of a by-committee approach than he did last season with Miles Sanders. The Eagles needed more insurance with Penny’s injury history and the fact he’s coming off a season-ending broken leg. Swift has missed his fair share of time, as well, and health is always a concern at the position. Swift was also never the bona fide No. 1 back in Detroit.

But his yards per carry increased last season (5.5) once the Lions improved their offensive line. He could have as much success running behind the Eagles’ top-rated O-line. Swift should also provide more in the pass game than any recent running back in Philly. That’s been a missing component in Sirianni’s offense. The Eagles didn’t give up much for Swift — they essentially parted with just a 2025 fourth-rounder — and they get the 24-year-old in the last year of his rookie contract.

Swift seems to always be motivated, but he obviously has a lot on the line in his fourth season. And if he leaves next offseason in free agency, the Eagles have another player to add to the compensatory draft pick formula.

» READ MORE: Eagles bring D’Andre Swift home, trading with the Lions to add an offensive weapon at running back

Similar to Haason Reddick last offseason, the Eagles are hoping a homecoming and a better fit will be just what Swift needs.

The former St. Joe’s Prep star and Mount Airy native fell out of favor with the Lions following three seasons as a committee back alongside Adrian Peterson and then Jamaal Williams. For whatever reason, the Lions never fully turned things over to Swift, and the decisions to draft Gibbs and jettison Swift for a 2025 fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick swap from the Eagles speaks to a somewhat confounding lack of faith.

Even if Swift is only a committee back for the Eagles, it’s hard to quibble with the price they paid. Swift is in a contract year with a chance to prove his worth behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Unless he falls off a cliff, the Eagles would earn a compensatory pick in the middle rounds if he signs elsewhere next offseason.

Based on his production over the last three seasons, there’s reason to believe he could have a career year playing for his hometown team. Swift had a career-high yards-per-carry average (5.5) last season and, according to Pro Football Focus, reeled off rushes for 15-plus yards on 40.2% of his carries. Only five running backs had a higher rate, which likely got the Eagles’ attention considering the emphasis they place on explosive plays.

Swift is also a threat in the passing game. He averaged 1.65 yards per route run, which ranked sixth among qualified backs and was virtually identical to Christian McCaffrey’s number, albeit with fewer plays.

All this to say, the Eagles added a valuable lead running back to an already intriguing group of guys. He can essentially nullify the compensation it took for the Eagles to get him with a solid year and costs only $1.7 million against the cap next season. Sounds like good value to me.

The Eagles already were considered a Super Bowl contender before the start of the draft. Since then, the roster has noticeably improved, both through the team’s draft picks, including top selections Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith, and the acquisition of Swift. The Philadelphia native will have a chance to rejuvenate his career as Swift enters the fourth and final year of his rookie deal.

Swift put together fine — but not stellar — production during his three seasons in Detroit. Depending on how the summer shakes out, Swift should have an immediate chance to contribute to a backfield that includes Penny, Gainwell, Scott, Trey Sermon, and Kennedy Brooks. Swift is an explosive, versatile tailback who boasts an assortment of traits that seem fit for Sirianni’s offense. He has only once had more than 16 carries in a single game, however. For his career, he boasts 25 total touchdowns and an average of 4.6 yards per carry and 7.7 yards per reception. His presence in the backfield should only further Jalen Hurts’ effectiveness in the run-pass-option.