Vikings Urged to Sign $8 Million Pro Bowler to Replace Mattison
The Minnesota Vikings must find a new identity running the ball after struggling with Alexander Mattison as their lead back last season — and D’Andre Swift could help reinvent the run game.
Swift, coming off his first Pro Bowl season with the playoff-bound Philadelphia Eagles, is poised to reach free agency in the offseason. After three seasons with the Detroit Lions, Swift was traded for a fourth-round pick last offseason and has shined with the Eagles — tallying a career-high 1,049 yards rushing and adding 39 catches for 214 yards receiving.
The 2020 second-round pick is a true dual-threat out of the backfield with 195 receptions and 1,912 yards receiving in his four seasons as a pro. Often stalled at the line of scrimmage, the Vikings offense could have benefited from more screen passes to get their running backs in space in 2023 — and that happens to be Swift’s forte.
He caught all 24 of his targets he was thrown behind the line of scrimmage and gained 9.4 yards per reception, per Pro Football Focus. An effective screen game is reliant on strong run-blocking, but Swift is also one of the best at making defenders miss in open space as well.
Ty Chandler flashed late in the season and should contend for the starting reigns next season. But beyond Chandler, the Vikings don’t have any backs that match his speed and receiving ability.
Last season, it was clear that the running game was built around Mattison’s strengths. Adding Swift would signal a shift in run-game philosophy that would emphasize wide-zone runs that benefit speedy backs like Swift and Chandler.
He caught all 24 of his targets he was thrown behind the line of scrimmage and gained 9.4 yards per reception, per Pro Football Focus. An effective screen game is reliant on strong run-blocking, but Swift is also one of the best at making defenders miss in open space as well.
Ty Chandler flashed late in the season and should contend for the starting reigns next season. But beyond Chandler, the Vikings don’t have any backs that match his speed and receiving ability.
Last season, it was clear that the running game was built around Mattison’s strengths. Adding Swift would signal a shift in run-game philosophy that would emphasize wide-zone runs that benefit speedy backs like Swift and Chandler.
