One of many ramifications of the incoming draft class is that the brand new guys displace among the gamers already on the roster. That’s definitely true for the Detroit Lions deciding on Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 total decide within the 2023 NFL draft.
Gibbs is an outside-the-tackles playmaker, an distinctive receiving weapon and a man with big-play potential each time he touches the ball. Or, in Lions phrases, what veteran RB D’Andre Swift is meant to be for the Detroit offense.
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With David Montgomery signed to a 3-year deal as a free agent lower than two months in the past, drafting Gibbs within the first spherical is a transparent signal that Swift isn’t within the long-term plans for the Lions. The oft-injured, sometimes superior Swift is getting into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract.
Lions GM Brad Holmes didn’t precisely give Swift a vote of confidence to stay in Detroit in his press convention after deciding on Gibbs.
“Yeah, I imply, D’Andre, he’s nonetheless on our roster,” Holmes informed the media after Thursday’s session. “He’s nonetheless a part of our staff. He’s nonetheless below contract with us. He’s a dynamic soccer participant. So, (taking Gibbs) hasn’t actually modified the maths there, but. However, you already know, it’s early.”
The flat tone wherein he acknowledged “but” is well interpreted as a really unhealthy signal for Swift’s destiny with the staff. Sufficient that it wouldn’t be shocking if Swift isn’t on the staff by the tip of draft weekend. If Holmes can extract any commerce return for Swift, who had greater than 10 carries simply thrice within the final 25 video games (he missed seven of these with varied accidents), it’s exhausting to see him not making the transfer.