Detroit Lions: Does Jamaal Williams hurt D’Andre Swift’s fantasy value?

Opportunity

This is where things are likely to not be as balanced between the two running backs. In 2021, Swift had a 38 percent snap share as a rookie. In the games he played in, the total was 49.1.  That’s not too bad for your first year, but Swift is in line for even more work in 2021, according to new head coach Dan Campell.

Campbell is inheriting the Lions after learning the X’s and O’s of football under New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton for the past few years. Detroit’s new head honcho seems to highly appreciate Payton and even attributes his coaching style to him and Bill Parcells.

While in NOLA, Campbell took note of a great player on the Saints roster, Alvin Kamara, and says he plans to use Swift in that same type of role next season. One way he can do so is lining him up in the slot for passing downs, something Swift only did 11 times in all of 2020 and just once in the final four games.

When comparing Swift and Kamara’s yards per routes run for last season, Swift came in at fifth-best in league with 1.58 and Kamara at 2.19 — the best in the NFL. The two players possess a lot of the same attributes, and it’s obviously smart for Campbell to see the comparison between the two. Creating mismatches is key in football, something Campbell spoke of at his introductory press conference.

Make no mistake about it, Williams will get some work too, and he should. It’s unlikely, however, barring major injury, that it eats too far into Swift’s workload considering the overall athletic ability and opportunity on the field. No matter how you look at it, the two should have very different roles on the Detroit offense.

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I expect Williams to get 5-8 carries per game, with a couple going to Kerryon Johnson as well. With Jared Goff as the Lions’ new signal-caller, it’s highly likely that Detroit looks to run the football early on in games giving both backs ample opportunities to see their fair share of work.

With that being said, it’s also highly likely they end up playing a majority of their games from behind, given the current condition the franchise is in.

If they are playing from behind, you can still expect Swift on the field due to his ability to be instrumental in passing plays.

The Lions second-year player has flat-out game-changing potential when he touches the ball.

While Williams is a serviceable RB2, unfortunately, the same cannot be said about him. He’ll have a role with his new team, but it will not be to the caliber of Swift’s if you buy into what coach Campbell has been saying since taking over the team.

With Williams on the Lions roster, Swift still has the potential to finish each and every week as an RB1 and put up stellar fantasy numbers for your team all season long. Do not be scared off by the signing of Williams.

Packers halfback Jones finished 2020 are the RB5, with Williams at RB38 in PPR. I’m not moving Swift down my board as of now, and you should absolutely not be looking into trading him unless we’re in the same league and you’re calling me.