The former Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift was the first free agent to a new team in 2024, signing with the Chicago Bears.
The 25-year-old has dealt with multiple injuries but was relatively healthy this past season due to the type of offense he was in, managing his carries and splitting the workload at times. This was dependent on each game’s flow, as Swift will likely be the lead back for the Bears but could split some time with other backs on the roster.
After attaining career highs in yards in 2023, can the recent Pro-Bowler be as, if not more productive in Chicago with a fresh new offense in 2024?
D’Andre Swift 2023 Stats and Production
D’Andre Swift, a former second-round pick from the 2020 NFL Draft, was drafted by the Detroit Lions and was eventually replaced after 3 seasons by Jahmyr Gibbs. With the Eagles this past year, the young rusher played two more games than he ever has in a single season and had 78 more carries total compared to his past season high.
Swift finally was healthy most of the time and was efficient with the carries he got behind a top offensive line unit in Philadelphia, along with a dangerous mobile threat at quarterback like Jalen Hurts.
While 2023 was good for him, there was a big drawback in touchdown equity, as Hurts was the ambassador of the tush push, led by anchor man and recently retired future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce.
Swift only had 6 total touchdowns, compared to his rookie year where he cracked double digits with 10 for the Lions. His receiving total was also the lowest in his career with Philly compared to before, going over 200 receiving yards as a pass catcher compared to 2021, where he had over 450 that year in Detroit.
Ultimately, it was good for Swift, as he finally got over the 1,000-yard rushing mark, as his previous season high was only at 617 in 2021 as mostly a 3rd down rotation running back.
In PPR leagues last season, he was drafted in the 7th or 8th round and was a mid-round gem, going over double-digit points 9 times in 2023. Swift finished as the 20th-ranked running back and had a consistent first half of the season, according to FantasyPros.
D’Andre Swift 2024 Fantasy Outlook
With a new team in the Chicago Bears with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, it will be interesting if D’Andre Swift can be as productive with a downgrade at the offensive line. At 5’2″ and 215 pounds, he should get the first crack at the starting job and signed a 3-year, $24 million deal this offseason.
On the depth chart, the Bears have former starting running back Khalil Herbert, who got hurt last year and only played 12 games, and Roschon Johnson, a former fourth rookie last season. Chicago also had D’Onta Foreman, who signed with the Cleveland Browns in free agency and had him take over when Herbert was out.
D’Andre Swift is now being drafted in the 6th or 7th round of fantasy leagues in PPR as the 22nd-ranked running back, according to FantasyPros.
However, he does have the 25th toughest schedule against running backs, with a bunch of new weapons at wide receiver like Keenan Allen, who Chicago traded for, and rookie Rome Odunze. With new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, Swift’s utilization as a pass catcher is unknown.
This is on top of their top targets in wide receiver D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet, along with tight end Gerald Everett, who the Bears signed in free agency, and their other backs on the roster.
Final Thoughts on D’Andre Swift
D’Andre Swift as the presumed Chicago Bears starter at running back profiles as a solid running back two option for fantasy drafts. While it is unclear if he can surpass last year’s numbers, in some aspects, Swift should with the volume and opportunity present in Chicago.
The Bears could manage his workload and give him an average of 10-15 carries and a few catches per game so he stays relatively fresh as a starter. At the start of the season, he could be eased to acclimate, as this happened in Philly last year where Swift wasn’t the starter for Week 1 till the second game.
He is being drafted among the likes of Rhamondre Stevenson, David Montgomery, James Connor, and Zamir White.
While his role could vary and change with a rookie under center, D’Andre Swift could be a value again in fantasy drafts, specifically in PPR.
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