With a surplus at running back, the Detroit Lions traded D’Andre Swift to his hometown Philadelphia Eagles as the fourth round of the NFL Draft proceeded Saturday.
In exchange, the Lions moved up in the seventh round this year (No. 219 overall) and received a fourth-round pick in 2025. The Eagles received the Lions’ seventh-round pick (No. 249).
Swift, 24, became expendable after Detroit drafted Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round Thursday.
The Lions also signed former Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery to a three-year, $18 million deal in March.
Swift was Detroit’s second-round selection (35th overall) in 2020. He has gained 2,878 yards from scrimmage and scored 25 touchdowns in 40 games (16 starts) through his first three seasons.
“He’s got big-play ability as a runner and a receiver,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said on ESPN’s draft broadcast. “We saw it firsthand when we were in Detroit the first game of the season (in 2022).”
Swift rushed 15 times for a career-high 144 yards and one touchdown in Detroit’s 38-35 loss to Philadelphia in Week 1 last season. He added three catches for 31 yards.
Swift has rushed 364 times for 1,680 yards (a 4.6-yard average) and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 156 passes for 1,198 yards and seven scores.
The Eagles lost 2022 leading rusher Miles Sanders to the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Philadelphia signed former Seattle Seahawks rusher Rashaad Penny in March and also has Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott and Trey Sermon on the depth chart.
“We liked our running backs,” Roseman said. “We didn’t go into the draft feeling like this was the position we had to have, but we felt like this player was somebody who could really add to our culture and add to our team.”