How the Eagles took advantage of another team's surprising NFL draft decision
The Philadelphia Eagles didn't just win the 2023 NFL Draft this past weekend, they also made one of the best trades of the weekend. Philly acquired talented running back Deandre Swift from the Detroit Lions for a fourth-round draft pick (the two teams also swapped seventh-round picks). Swift was originally drafted by the Lions in […]
The Philadelphia Eagles didn't just win the 2023 NFL Draft this past weekend, they also made one of the best trades of the weekend.
Philly acquired talented running back Deandre Swift from the Detroit Lions for a fourth-round draft pick (the two teams also swapped seventh-round picks).
Swift was originally drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Swift is under contract for just one more season so this isn't necessarily a longterm commitment by the Eagles (though Philly has already expressed some interest in extending Swfit). In Swift, Philly is getting a 24-year-old running back that provides value on the ground as well as in the passing game. He should be a perfect fit in the Eagles' offense.
Philadelphia will pay Swift just $1.7 million in 2023.
The only reason the Eagles were able to land Swift is because of the fallout from the Lions' decision to draft Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Swift requested a trade after the Lions drafted Gibbs on Thursday night.
"Once the Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall, Deandre Swift made it clear he wanted out," said Fowler during an appearance on ESPN this weekend. "He wanted to go play for a team where he could be more of a focal point. The Eagles pounced on him. They made the call really early in the process after Thursday night [and] got the ball rolling. The Lions originally wanted a third-round pick for Swift. The Eagles worked it out to give a fourth-round pick."
"They were even trying to sign Swift to a one year extension as part of all this," added Fowler. "He's looking forward to having a contract year and building up his value."
Just another win for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. I'm not sure there's a better team builder in the game right now. Roseman simply seems to have the magic touch.
