2020 NFL Draft Prop Bets: D’Andre Swift’s Draft Position
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One of the more interesting conversations in regards to the 2020 NFL Draft betting props is where the running backs will go. D’Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor are the top two guys, but some view them as clear-cut starters while other teams see them as backs better suited for a one-two punch of some kind. With that being the case, nobody is quite sure if we’ll see a running back go in the first round.
Swift’s over/under suggests that the oddsmakers think he gets selected on the first day. However, upon taking a closer look, there might be more value betting on him going 27th or later.
Check out our consensus odds for 2020 NFL Draft prop bets >>
2020 NFL Draft: D’Andre Swift Draft Position
Scenario No. 1: Swift Goes In Top 26
The earliest Swift could possibly go in the draft is at No. 14 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs – or any other team picking in the top 15 – are unlikely to pick a running back, but Tampa Bay clearly has the biggest need for one of any team in the top 15. Coach Bruce Arians has Tom Brady and a lot of quality receivers. The best pick would likely be an offensive lineman to make sure Brady remains upright, but if the organization really loves Swift’s talent, it could insist on taking him early to make sure he doesn’t get snapped up by any other team.
The only other really good possibility for Swift is at No. 26, where the Miami Dolphins pick. The Dolphins also have picks No. 5 and No. 18, which they can use on an offensive lineman and a quarterback. They have bigger needs there, but then they could circle back and take Swift at No. 26 to bolster their offense. However, the team did sign Jordan Howard, so it’s unclear whether they feel like this is a pressing need.
Even so, the Bucs at 14 and the Dolphins at 26 are the best bets to take Swift in the top 26.
Scenario No. 2: Swift Falls To No. 27 Or Later
The more likely scenario is that Swift will be picked at 27 or later, and this is what I’d bet. Several teams picking early in the second round would love Swift and have a real need for him on their rosters. The Detroit Lions have been looking for an elite running back ever since Barry Sanders retired, and they’re up three picks into the second round at No. 35. Swift would be a great fit with Georgia alum Matthew Stafford at quarterback.
The Los Angeles Chargers, who just lost Melvin Gordon to the Denver Broncos, pick at No. 37. They could use a running back, though they seem happy with Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Miami is sitting at 39, so if it doesn’t take a running back with any of its first three picks, it could grab Swift with the fourth one.
When you start to get into the second round, that’s where teams won’t mind burning a pick on a running back that can join a committee or be part of a one-two combination. Running backs aren’t as valuable as they once were, and Swift isn’t a Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott, or Saquon Barkley type who’s viewed as a game-changer. And we just saw Gurley get cut this offseason while Elliott and Barkley are coming off fairly muted seasons. Swift has a tough case to go in the top 26, so I’d bet that he doesn’t.
Here are all of our 2020 NFL Draft Prop Bets >>
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Dave Golokhov is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Dave, check out his archive and follow him @davegolokhov.