After selecting Jahmir Gibbs in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, the Detroit Lions have decided to trade current starter De’Andre Swift.
The Lions sent Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a pair of draft picks. According to multiple reports, the deal sees a 2025 fourth-rounder go to Detroit, and the two sides swapped seventh-rounders in this year’s draft.
The Eagles needed a running back after losing Myles Sanders in free agency. The Eagles previously signed Rashaad Penny to a one-year deal and will now bring in Swift, who has been the Lions’ primary leader for the past three seasons.
Swift, a Philadelphia native, has rushed for 1,680 yards and 18 touchdowns over the past three seasons. He has 156 catches for 1,198 yards and seven touchdowns in his pro career.
On top of the hometown connection, Swift is a product of the University of Georgia. The Eagles used two first-round picks this year on Georgia players Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith. Early in the fourth round, the Eagles selected another UGA prospect, this time cornerback Kelly Ringo. On top of that, the Eagles selected Jordan Davis and Nacob Dean out of Georgia last year.
Swift, a 2020 second-round pick, has one year remaining on his $1.77 million rookie contract.
For the Lions, they used the No. 12 pick to add the versatile Gibbs out of Alabama. The Lions also signed former Bears running back David Montgomery in free agency. With Gibbs and Montgomery added to the roster, the Lions were exploring options to move Swift. It paid off on Saturday, Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
