At first, fans thought the Detroit Lions would make a surprising splash when they traded down in yesterday’s first round of the NFL Draft.
But then, they made a bit of a head-scratching move, taking Alabama star Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 pick.
As good a player as Gibbs is, taking running backs in the first round has become an uncommon practice nowadays, especially one month after signing one in free agency.
The Lions already had D’Andre Swift and David Montgomery in the backfield, but it seems like the former has his days numbered with the organization.
Report: Lions fielding trade calls on D'Andre Swift. https://t.co/zF75yadMNn
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 28, 2023
Of course, that drew plenty of mixed takes on social media.
Worst pick of yesterdays draft, including the dolphins giving theirs to talk to Tom Brady a few years ago
— Beau Brenden (@BeauBrenden) April 28, 2023
Think there’d be a good fit with the Seahawks replacing Penny and pairing him up with K9
— David Weaver (@dreamweaverbc) April 28, 2023
Good. He's injured too often.
— Shane Luigi (@shaneluigi13) April 28, 2023
Lol. They should’ve just taken Robinson at 6. Classic Lions.
— D. Wayne Fitzgerald, MD 🌐 (@WayneFitz97) April 28, 2023
uhh ya think? super talented but stays hurt/ who’s trading draft capital for swift?
— Speak Therapy Podcast (@speaktherapypod) April 28, 2023
Unsurprisingly, Swift’s camp has reportedly been in touch with the team to try and find a trade suitor after such a disappointing and shocking turn of events.
Swift has been an efficient dual-threat RB for the Lions since joining the team as a second-round pick back in 2020.
He’s coming off posting 931 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns in 14 appearances (8 starts), with half of that production coming on the ground.
Even so, he wasn’t taken by the current tandem of Dan Campbell and Holmes, and that may have to do with why he’s no longer a part of their plans as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.
NEXT: Fans React To Lions' Questionable First-Round Draft Picks
