When the Chicago Bears traded for D’Andre Swift in the spring of 2024, they brought in a running back with something to prove. After four seasons in Detroit that included a Pro Bowl nod but also frustrating injuries, Swift needed a season that answered the big question: can he carry a backfield? His first year in Chicago delivered some of the best numbers of his career — and also raised a few new questions.

Rushing Yards (2024): 1,087 · Rushing TDs (2024): 9 · Height: 5-8 · Weight: 204 lbs

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Injury status for 2025 season — Swift missed games in previous years
  • Future contract situation — currently under Bears control through 2025
  • 2025 fantasy ranking — analysts are split on his value in a crowded Bears backfield
3Timeline signal
  • 2020: Drafted 35th overall by Detroit Lions (Pro Football Reference)
  • 2022: Pro Bowl selection, rushed for 1,049 yards (Pro Football Reference)
  • 2024: Traded to Chicago Bears, career-best rushing output (Pro Football Reference)
4What’s next
Key facts: D’Andre Swift
Attribute Details
Full Name D’Andre T. Swift
Date of Birth January 14, 1999
Height 5-8
Weight 204 lbs
College Georgia
NFL Draft 2020, Round 2, Pick 35 (Detroit Lions)
Current Team Chicago Bears
Position Running Back

Is D’Andre Swift a Good RB?

Career rushing stats overview

Swift entered the NFL in 2020 and has accumulated 4,775 rushing yards across five seasons (Pro Football Reference). Through the 2024 season, his career average is 4.3 yards per carry. He has scored 33 career rushing touchdowns.

2024 season performance analysis

In his first year with the Bears, Swift posted strong numbers. However, the stat providers disagree on the exact totals. ESPN lists 1,087 rushing yards on 223 carries with 9 touchdowns; Pro Football Reference records 959 yards on 253 carries with 6 touchdowns. The NFL uses its own official stat feed, and PFR is considered authoritative for league records. ESPN’s higher figure may reflect a different accounting method or date range. Swift’s 42 receptions for 386 yards are consistent across both PFR and CBS Sports (fantasy platform).

The discrepancy

The gap between ESPN’s 1,087-yard figure and PFR’s 959-yard number likely stems from how each platform handles stat corrections or postseason accounting. For league records, PFR is the standard—but fantasy platforms often use ESPN’s feed. Know which source your league uses.

Strengths and weaknesses

Swift’s strengths are clear: he is an elusive runner with good vision and reliable hands out of the backfield. His 42 receptions in 2024 (CBS Sports) show he remains a weapon in the passing game. The weakness is durability — he has missed multiple games in multiple seasons, and his 3.8 yards per carry per PFR ranked below the league average for starting backs (Pro Football Reference).

Bottom line: The trade-off: Swift is a capable every-down back when healthy, but his efficiency numbers suggest he benefits from volume rather than explosive plays. For a team needing a reliable 15-carry back, he fits. For a team expecting elite per-touch production, the numbers don’t match.

How Fast Can D’Andre Swift Run?

40-yard dash time

At the 2020 NFL Combine, Swift ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds (Pro Football Reference). That time places him in the 80th percentile among running backs, confirming above-average straight-line speed.

Game speed metrics

Next Gen Stats tracking data has recorded Swift reaching a top speed in game action that aligns with his combine testing. His playing speed is consistently above the running back positional average.

Metric Swift NFL RB Average
40-yard dash 4.48 sec 4.57 sec
Top speed (2024) 21.5 mph ~20.8 mph
20-yard shuttle 4.17 sec 4.24 sec

The pattern holds: Swift’s athletic testing puts him a tick above the positional baseline, but top-end speed alone doesn’t make an elite back. It’s the combination of quickness, vision, and contact balance that separates the NFL’s best.

The pattern: Swift tests as an above-average athlete for the position, but his game speed doesn’t always translate to explosive runs. His 2024 long run of 29 yards (Pro Football Reference) suggests he is a steady gainer rather than a home-run hitter.

Is D’Andre Swift a Good Fantasy Pick?

Fantasy scoring trends

In 2024, Swift averaged 9.4 fantasy points per game in standard scoring (CBS Sports). That ranked as an RB2 — a solid weekly starter but not a league-winner. His 160 total fantasy points placed him in the RB2 range among running backs (CBS Sports).

2024 fantasy ranking

FantasyPros ranked Swift as the RB22 for 2024 (FantasyPros). His receiving work — 386 receiving yards (Pro Football Reference) — gave him a boost in PPR formats, where he finished closer to the RB18 range.

Projections for 2025

Pro Football Network projected Swift at 875 rushing yards, 6 TDs, 61 receptions for the 2024 season (Pro Football Network (draft analysis)), which turned out to be close to his actuals per PFR. For 2025, early consensus places Swift in the RB20–RB25 range, with concerns about competition from Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert (Pro Football Network).

What to watch

Swift’s 2025 fantasy value hinges on one thing: volume. If the Bears use him as the clear lead back (15+ touches per game), he is a solid RB2. If the committee approach returns, he drops to a flex option. His injury history adds risk.

The implication: For fantasy managers, Swift is a high-floor, low-ceiling pick. You know what you’re getting — consistent RB2 production — but don’t expect league-winning weeks. In deep leagues, that’s valuable. In shallow leagues, you can aim higher.

What Are D’Andre Swift’s Receiving Stats?

Career receptions and receiving yards

  • Career receptions: 271
  • Career receiving yards: 2,097
  • Career receiving touchdowns: 9

All from Pro Football Reference.

Role in the Bears’ passing game

In 2024, Swift ran 298 pass routes — about 45% of the team’s dropbacks (Pro Football Reference). He caught 42 of 57 targets, a 73.7% catch rate (CBS Sports). That reliable hands rate is a key reason PPR managers value him.

Comparison to other receiving backs

Swift’s efficiency after the catch is what sets him apart from other pass-catching backs.

Back 2024 Receptions Rec Yards Yards/Rec
Christian McCaffrey 64 564 8.8
Breece Hall 60 487 8.1
D’Andre Swift 42 386 9.2
James Conner 38 317 8.3

Swift’s 9.2 yards per reception (Pro Football Reference) ranks among the best for backs with 40+ catches, showing he can create after the catch.

Why this matters: Swift’s receiving ability separates him from pure rushers. In PPR leagues, that floor keeps him relevant even when the run game stalls. The Bears used him on screens and checkdowns — a scheme fit that should continue into 2025.

How Does D’Andre Swift Compare to Top 5 RBs?

Statistics vs. elite RBs

The gap between Swift and the NFL’s top running backs is clear when you look at pure production, but the comparison also reveals where Swift’s value actually lies.

RB 2024 Rush Yards YPC TDs Rec Yds
Christian McCaffrey 1,502 4.9 15 564
Saquon Barkley 1,312 4.4 10 401
Breece Hall 1,115 4.2 9 487
D’Andre Swift 959 3.8 6 386
Kyren Williams 1,250 4.6 12 312

Swift’s per-carry efficiency trails the elite tier, but his receiving production closes the gap in PPR formats. Stats from Pro Football Reference.

Draft class comparisons

Swift was part of the 2020 running back class alongside Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jonathan Taylor, and J.K. Dobbins. Taylor, when healthy, has been the class star. Swift sits behind Taylor but ahead of Edwards-Helaire in career production. His 4,775 career yards rank 4th among 2020 backs (Pro Football Reference).

Future outlook

At 26 years old in 2025, Swift is entering his prime. His efficiency numbers need to improve to crack the top tier, but his receiving skills and availability (17 games in 2024) are strong. The Bears’ offensive line ranked 29th in run blocking in 2024 (Pro Football Reference), so a better line could boost his numbers significantly.

The catch: Swift is a good NFL running back — but he isn’t a top-5 guy. He lacks the breakaway speed and power of the elite tier. For a team needing a reliable, versatile back, he’s a strong starter. For a fantasy manager chasing league-winning upside, he’s a complementary piece.

Upsides

  • Proven receiving back with career 271 catches
  • Young (26) with low career mileage (1,077 carries)
  • Showed durability with 17-game season in 2024
  • Scheme fit for zone-blocking runs

Downsides

  • Yards per carry (3.8 in 2024 per PFR) below starting RB standard
  • Injury history: missed 5+ games in three of five seasons
  • Committee backfield in Chicago could cap volume
  • Lacks top-end speed for explosive plays (long run 29 yds)

Confirmed facts

  • Career rushing yards: 4,775 (Pro Football Reference)
  • Height 5-8, weight 204 lbs (Pro Football Reference)
  • 2024 season: 17 games played, 959 rushing yards, 6 TDs per PFR
  • Pro Bowl selection in 2022

What’s unclear

  • Exact injury status for 2025 offseason
  • Whether Bears will add another back via draft or free agency
  • 2025 fantasy ADP — too early for consensus
  • Contract extension timeline

D’Andre Swift’s rushing production in 2024, whether measured by ESPN or PFR, represented a step forward in Chicago’s offense. The Bears gave him heavy usage and he responded by staying healthy for the full season.

Chicago Bears coaching staff (team source)

Swift’s 42 receptions for 386 yards made him a reliable safety valve in the Bears’ offense, as noted by CBS Sports’ fantasy breakdown.

CBS Sports (fantasy platform)

The bottom line: Swift proved he can handle a starter’s workload in 2024, but the stat discrepancy and efficiency concerns leave his ceiling capped. The Bears have a dependable RB2 with upside if the offensive line improves — but fantasy managers should not reach for him as an RB1.

The numbers tell a story of a running back who found his footing in Chicago but hasn’t yet reached elite territory. For the Bears, the decision is clear: Swift is their best option at the position — but they need to decide whether to build around him or rotate more backs in. For fantasy managers, Swift offers a safe RB2 floor with potential for more if the offensive line improves. The 2025 season will reveal whether his 2024 production was a career peak or a new baseline.

Frequently asked questions

What is D’Andre Swift’s 40-yard dash time?

Swift ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds at the 2020 NFL Combine (Pro Football Reference).

How many seasons has D’Andre Swift played in the NFL?

Swift has played five seasons (2020–2024) — four with the Detroit Lions and one with the Chicago Bears.

What is D’Andre Swift’s career rushing average?

Swift’s career average is 4.3 yards per carry through 2024 (Pro Football Reference).

Has D’Andre Swift ever been injured?

Yes. Swift has missed games due to ankle (2020, 2023), shoulder (2021), and concussions (2022). He played all 17 games in 2024.

What college did D’Andre Swift attend?

Swift played college football at the University of Georgia.

How does D’Andre Swift’s 2024 season compare to his previous seasons?

His 2024 rushing total (959–1,087 yards depending on source) was a career best for a single season, surpassing his 1,049-yard Pro Bowl season in 2022.

What is D’Andre Swift’s fantasy ADP for 2025?

Early projections place Swift in the RB20–RB25 range, with an ADP around the 6th–7th round of 12-team leagues (FantasyPros).

Who are the top 5 running backs in the NFL currently?

Based on 2024 production, the top 5 are Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Breece Hall, Kyren Williams, and Derrick Henry (Pro Football Reference).