Philadelphia Eagles Solve RB Issues With Shrewd Trade Featuring D’Andre Swift

The Philadelphia Eagles solved their running back issues during the 2023 NFL Draft and it didn’t even involve using a first-round draft pick.

During Day 3 of the NFL Draft, the Eagles made a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Lions for disgruntled RB D’Andre Swift in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Swfit requested the trade after the Lions surprisingly used their first draft pick (No.12 overall) on the University of Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs.

In other words, they acquired their potential starting running back for peanuts.

Entering the draft, there were reports that the Eagles were heavily interested in University of Texas running back Bijan Robinson with their first overall pick in the draft (No. 10 at the time).

The move would have been silly — as I hinted at prior to the draft — considering all of the team’s defensive needs entering the draft, including a pass rusher, interior help on the defensive line and at cornerback.

General manager Howie Roseman clearly knew better as he traded up to the No. 9 overall pick to grab a steal along the defensive line in the University of Georgia’s Jalen Carter — arguably the draft’s top prospect — and eventually landed his teammate, outside linebacker Nolan Smith, with the No. 30 overall pick in another draft day steal.

Instead of investing a premium pick for the most devalued position in football — running back — the Eagles wisely used the picks on top defensive prospects. And Philadelphia still managed to come away with one of the best dual-threat backs in the league while giving up little in return.

Swift is one of the best dual-threat backs in the league, having caught at least 46 passes over the past three seasons despite splitting time in a two-back backfield over the past three seasons.

In addition to his pass-catching prowess, Swift is an efficient runner, having averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season. For perspective, had Swift carried the ball for the league minimum (6.25 rushing attempts per team game), he would have led all running backs in yards per attempt. When also factoring in his catches, Swift averaged 6.3 yards per touch last season.

The move is the definition of a low-risk, high-reward trade for the Eagles. Not only did they gave up little in draft compensation, Swift is entering the final year of his rookie deal which pays him just $1.7 million. The dynamic playmaker is due to be the 38th-highest paid running back during the 2023 season.

Making matters even more beneficial for Philadelphia is that if Swift leaves in free agency, the Eagles would likely get back a compensatory pick in 2025. It basically negates what they lost in the trade for Swift, which was minimal overall.

Via ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

“Eagles’ RB D’Andre Swift is entering the last year of his contract that carries a $1.77 million base salary,” writes Schefter. “If he leaves after this season, the Eagles likely would get back a compensatory draft pick in 2025 – the year in which they traded a 4th-round pick to Detroit for Swift.”

The Eagles will now feature Swift, Rashaad Penny — who has averaged 5.7 yards per carry for his career — Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott in the backfield next season.

That means after losing Pro Bowl RB Miles Sanders and star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to free agency, the Eagles have replaced those key pieces with Swift, Carter and Smith — at bargain prices.

As Philadelphia enters the 2023 season, they’ll do so as the clear favorites. But after Roseman pulled off by far the best showing of any NFL general manager during the draft, they might just be the clear Super Bowl favorites.