NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears agreed to terms with D’Andre Swift on a three-year deal worth $24 million as one of the earliest of the free agent RBs to find a new home.
Let’s dive into the fantasy football implications of Swift’s move to the Windy City.
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D’Andre Swift as a Football Player
First, let’s take a look back at Swift’s time in the league from a fantasy football perspective before assessing what’s next for the former Georgia running back. Drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, D’Andre Swift dealt with injuries that kept him off the field during his time in Detroit, yet he ended as a fantasy RB2 in half-PPR scoring on a per-game basis every season from 2020-2022.
Last year in Philadelphia, D’Andre Swift began the season buried on the running back depth chart but emerged as their starting back to post 1,049 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 229 carries, despite having Jalen Hurts at quarterback, a player who doesn’t tend to use pass-catching backs, and the “tush push” vulturing plenty of goal line usage. Swift ended as the RB24 in half-PPR points per contest and can build on that as he enters his age-26 season on a new team that likes to run the ball more frequently.
How D’Andre Swift Fits Into the Chicago Bears’ Offense
It’s still yet to be determined who will be under center for Chicago, but D’Andre Swift will join a crowded rushing room that still features Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. He’ll presumably come in as the starting back given the size of his contract, but if the Bears continue to struggle on offense as they have in recent years, D’Andre Swift’s fantasy value could take a hit.
A fairly sizable role in the passing game would likely be necessary in order to elevate his fantasy value beyond a low-end RB2. The good news is that Herbert (4.6 YPC) and Johnson (4.3 YPC) both ran pretty well for the Bears in 2023, however, neither saw more than 40 targets which leaves plenty of room for D’Andre Swift to be involved as a pass catcher, particularly if there’s a rookie quarterback at the helm. In his first three seasons with the Lions, Swift saw an average of 68.3 targets per game but only was thrown at 49 times in 2023, in part due to the “Brotherly Shove”.
If D’Andre Swift is somewhere in the 45-50 target range this season, a high-end fantasy RB2 outcome is highly possible, particularly in any type of points per reception format.
MORE: Check out 4for4 for all your fantasy football needs & the latest expert betting picks.
What D’Andre Swift to the Bears Means for the Rest of the Backfield
The addition of D’Andre Swift isn’t the best news for both of the running backs already on the roster as they’ll likely have to compete for the RB2 spot for the Bears when training camp opens up. Whoever emerges out of the two will likely be a late-round fantasy pick while the other will be relegated to flier status in best ball, along with a not-so-comfy spot on the waiver wire in redraft leagues.
Consider Swift an RB2 with passing-catching upside in PPR formats heading into the season. His Underdog ADP is currently 103.9 as RB31 which could rise a bit with the signing. Herbert and Johnson should be valued in the RB3/4 range and are currently being drafted as the RB44 and RB38, respectively, possibly taking small hits with Swift now a member of the Bears.
Photo By: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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