D'Andre Swift with Ben Johnson (4 Viewers)

[psmurphy1028]

Recently came out of a dynasty start up draft with DeVon Achane as RB1 and the combination of either D'Andre Swift or Kaleb Johnson as RB2 and RB3. With everything coming out of preseason about Kaleb, and Jaylen Warren expected to get the first shot as the Steelers starter, it's very much trending as D'Andre Swift as my RB2 for 2025. Everyone talks about how Ben Johnson chose to move on from Swift in Detroit, and Jamaal Williams was the preferred back, scored all the TDs, etc. But I've been looking back on those Detroit years, and Swift had 78 targets in 14 games in 2020, and 70 targets in 13 games in 2021. He didn't see the volume we want for carries, but isn't there a chance Detroit didn't make him a workhorse because he had never shown he could carry that load yet? Swift never played a full season until last season, but he's now been over 225 carries the past two seasons. And he didn't break down. Let's say Ben Johnson does limit Swift to only 200 carries, but he goes back to seeing the 2020-2021 volume in the passing game. 200+ carries, plus 75+ targets should easily make him a locked in RB2, I think with RB1 upside. Swift used to be thought of as having the ability to be a 1000 yard rusher and receiver, and while that's probably not a reality anymore, volume is king in fantasy football. Am I too high on Swift? Is he going to continue to be a depreciating asset in fantasy, or can he improve his outlook going forward?

 

[ChiefD]

I think your thought process is amazing.

 

[Psychopav]

Right on! Packers SUCK, amiright?

I'm smelling what you're cookin' my friend.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I think it’s just a ploy to motivate Tatum Bell

 

[dino259]

Right on! Packers SUCK, amiright?

I'm smelling what you're cookin' my friend.

Pretty sure the song is that the bears still suck.

 

[Psychopav]

Right on! Packers SUCK, amiright?

I'm smelling what you're cookin' my friend.

Pretty sure the song is that the bears still suck.

Wrong, sir.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Like, biblically?

 

[eoMMan]

Recently came out of a dynasty start up draft with DeVon Achane as RB1 and the combination of either D'Andre Swift or Kaleb Johnson as RB2 and RB3. With everything coming out of preseason about Kaleb, and Jaylen Warren expected to get the first shot as the Steelers starter, it's very much trending as D'Andre Swift as my RB2 for 2025. Everyone talks about how Ben Johnson chose to move on from Swift in Detroit, and Jamaal Williams was the preferred back, scored all the TDs, etc. But I've been looking back on those Detroit years, and Swift had 78 targets in 14 games in 2020, and 70 targets in 13 games in 2021. He didn't see the volume we want for carries, but isn't there a chance Detroit didn't make him a workhorse because he had never shown he could carry that load yet? Swift never played a full season until last season, but he's now been over 225 carries the past two seasons. And he didn't break down. Let's say Ben Johnson does limit Swift to only 200 carries, but he goes back to seeing the 2020-2021 volume in the passing game. 200+ carries, plus 75+ targets should easily make him a locked in RB2, I think with RB1 upside. Swift used to be thought of as having the ability to be a 1000 yard rusher and receiver, and while that's probably not a reality anymore, volume is king in fantasy football. Am I too high on Swift? Is he going to continue to be a depreciating asset in fantasy, or can he improve his outlook going forward?

I think Roschon “Sweet Pea” Johnson will take some goal lines. Not worried about the rookie. Another consideration is that Chicago could possibly trade for another RB at some point (maybe Alvin “Chipmunk McGee” Kamara)? Or maybe they consider bringing in Ray Rice or Kevan Barlow for workouts?

Lots of ways the Chicago RB room could shake out.

 

[belljr]

4?

 

[Sand]

Ben Johnson - is that dude still on PEDs??

 

[Sullie]

Recently came out of a dynasty start up draft with DeVon Achane as RB1 and the combination of either D'Andre Swift or Kaleb Johnson as RB2 and RB3. With everything coming out of preseason about Kaleb, and Jaylen Warren expected to get the first shot as the Steelers starter, it's very much trending as D'Andre Swift as my RB2 for 2025. Everyone talks about how Ben Johnson chose to move on from Swift in Detroit, and Jamaal Williams was the preferred back, scored all the TDs, etc. But I've been looking back on those Detroit years, and Swift had 78 targets in 14 games in 2020, and 70 targets in 13 games in 2021. He didn't see the volume we want for carries, but isn't there a chance Detroit didn't make him a workhorse because he had never shown he could carry that load yet? Swift never played a full season until last season, but he's now been over 225 carries the past two seasons. And he didn't break down. Let's say Ben Johnson does limit Swift to only 200 carries, but he goes back to seeing the 2020-2021 volume in the passing game. 200+ carries, plus 75+ targets should easily make him a locked in RB2, I think with RB1 upside. Swift used to be thought of as having the ability to be a 1000 yard rusher and receiver, and while that's probably not a reality anymore, volume is king in fantasy football. Am I too high on Swift? Is he going to continue to be a depreciating asset in fantasy, or can he improve his outlook going forward?

First of all, how are you?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Ben Johnson - is that dude still on PEDs??

Well he took the Bears job so he's probably on something.

 

[eighsse2]

Recently came out of a dynasty start up draft with DeVon Achane as RB1 and the combination of either D'Andre Swift or Kaleb Johnson as RB2 and RB3. With everything coming out of preseason about Kaleb, and Jaylen Warren expected to get the first shot as the Steelers starter, it's very much trending as D'Andre Swift as my RB2 for 2025. Everyone talks about how Ben Johnson chose to move on from Swift in Detroit, and Jamaal Williams was the preferred back, scored all the TDs, etc. But I've been looking back on those Detroit years, and Swift had 78 targets in 14 games in 2020, and 70 targets in 13 games in 2021. He didn't see the volume we want for carries, but isn't there a chance Detroit didn't make him a workhorse because he had never shown he could carry that load yet? Swift never played a full season until last season, but he's now been over 225 carries the past two seasons. And he didn't break down. Let's say Ben Johnson does limit Swift to only 200 carries, but he goes back to seeing the 2020-2021 volume in the passing game. 200+ carries, plus 75+ targets should easily make him a locked in RB2, I think with RB1 upside. Swift used to be thought of as having the ability to be a 1000 yard rusher and receiver, and while that's probably not a reality anymore, volume is king in fantasy football. Am I too high on Swift? Is he going to continue to be a depreciating asset in fantasy, or can he improve his outlook going forward?

My opinion doesn't matter here because Swift is my #1 overall RB every year. (But I agree that he still has that potential to be a stud, and that Ben Johnson is not likely going to be a bad thing for him.)

 

[menobrown]

Recently came out of a dynasty start up draft with DeVon Achane as RB1 and the combination of either D'Andre Swift or Kaleb Johnson as RB2 and RB3. With everything coming out of preseason about Kaleb, and Jaylen Warren expected to get the first shot as the Steelers starter, it's very much trending as D'Andre Swift as my RB2 for 2025. Everyone talks about how Ben Johnson chose to move on from Swift in Detroit, and Jamaal Williams was the preferred back, scored all the TDs, etc. But I've been looking back on those Detroit years, and Swift had 78 targets in 14 games in 2020, and 70 targets in 13 games in 2021. He didn't see the volume we want for carries, but isn't there a chance Detroit didn't make him a workhorse because he had never shown he could carry that load yet? Swift never played a full season until last season, but he's now been over 225 carries the past two seasons. And he didn't break down. Let's say Ben Johnson does limit Swift to only 200 carries, but he goes back to seeing the 2020-2021 volume in the passing game. 200+ carries, plus 75+ targets should easily make him a locked in RB2, I think with RB1 upside. Swift used to be thought of as having the ability to be a 1000 yard rusher and receiver, and while that's probably not a reality anymore, volume is king in fantasy football. Am I too high on Swift? Is he going to continue to be a depreciating asset in fantasy, or can he improve his outlook going forward?

The way Ben Johnson used Swift in Detroit was ideal for real and fantasy. The way Swift has been used like a 225 carry runner is neither of those things.

When Johnson took over I was excited for Swift but also unsure because while we don't know who chose to move on from Swift in Detroit it seems like he'd have some kind of voice. But his words and actions have been nothing but positive since he took over.

So I don't think you are overrating Swift and I'll say with even if they did something like acquire Brian Robinson.

I still would not be overly positive about his long term future past this season when the guarantees run out of his contract. TBD on that.

 

[Football Jones]

Everybody has been trying to upgrade Chicago's backfield except Ben Johnson. Remember, this was one of the deepest RB classes in history and Johnson could've easily drafted "his" guy (they did take Monangai late). There's also been nothing to suggest Swift won't be their feature back this season. What people are concerned about is his history in Detroit with Johnson.

The Lions never committed to Swift and he was eventually traded after they drafted Gibbs. I have nothing to base this on except perception, but I got the feeling Campbell wasn't overly fond of Swift. Not saying it was personal, just that Campbell didn't believe Swift could be a feature back and treated him accordingly.

Right now, Swift looks like a lock to get a bunch of touches with RB1 upside. What's harder to predict is how good that offense will be. There's a wide range of outcomes.

 

[barackdhouse]

Am I too high on Swift? Is he going to continue to be a depreciating asset in fantasy, or can he improve his outlook going forward?

Good post and I agree with your perspective on him. I don't think he was ever out of favor with Ben Johnson, but he was perhaps out of favor with some early FF dynasty owners and that can permeate the national narratives re:Ben Johnson & Swift.

I don't think you're too high on him but I don't think he has to *improve* his outlook he just has to maintain the status quo (for production), which should be really really good again. But his price is dirt cheap so IMHO he is one of the most obvious and greatest value plays in 2025 because by and large the community hates his guts and his ADP is still way too low. In other words I don't necessarily care what his outlook going forward (after 2025 I mean) is going to be because these are the players I want to pounce on RIGHT NOW and leverage RIGHT NOW.

If he smashes then that is only a good thing as an asset, and if he falters then you won't have to worry about it anymore. As a RB he is going to depreciate but honestly the fact that his price is so low means we are the middle of his prime and should just ride the wave.

If we asked every board member I bet 4/5 absolutely hate his guts and would never draft him lol

 

[barackdhouse]

Everybody has been trying to upgrade Chicago's backfield except Ben Johnson.

so true. they have had every dang chance. hard to believe brian robinson is going to put them over the top on making a move finally. plus they love monangai.

 

[Grahamburn]

Johnson? Whaddya need that for, Dude?