Eagles RB D'Andre Swift: A Bounce-Back Candidate Next Season?
While the Philadelphia Eagles retained both Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott, Miles Sanders -- the team's leading rusher from a season ago -- departed to sign a free-agent deal with the Carolina Panthers this offseason.
To a degree, the running game around Jalen Hurts will be plug-and-play, but general manager Howie Roseman acquired two other options as the Eagles look to replace Sanders' production.
As both D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny prepare for their first seasons in midnight green, the former cracked our countdown of seven bounce-back candidates for the 2023 NFL season, which includes some other NFC East foes.
D'Andre Swift, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Swift fell out of favor in Detroit, but he averaged 5.5 yards per carry on 99 rushing attempts last season. In 2021, he caught 62 passes for 452 yards. The Eagles won't have a bell-cow back, but Swift should be at the forefront of one of the league's best rushing attacks. There's a distinct possibility that the Philadelphia native will be one-and-done with the Eagles, but if the 24-year-old produces well in 2023, he could cash in as a free agent.
A.J. Terrell, CB, Atlanta Falcons
As noted on Pro Football Focus, Terrell had a relatively disappointing third season after he was a second-team All-Pro in 2021. The 24-year-old's fifth-year option has already been exercised, but his performance in 2023 will likely determine whether general manager Terry Fontenot -- who inherited the former first-round pick -- looks to extend him beyond his rookie deal.
Mike Gesicki, TE, New England Patriots
The Miami Dolphins offense took off under new coach Mike McDaniel, but Gesicki didn't turn out to be a fit for the system. He latched on with the division-rival Patriots this offseason, signing a one-year, $4.5 million deal. While the Patriots also have Hunter Henry at tight end, offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien doesn't have a ton to work with at the wide receiver position. So Gesicki -- who had 700-plus receiving yards in both 2020 and 2021 -- should have plenty of opportunities to jump out as one of the better pass catchers at the tight end position.
Van Jefferson, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Like just about everything else with the Rams in 2022, things didn't go well for Jefferson a year after he was part of a Super Bowl Championship squad. The former second-round pick looked to be on the verge of a breakout in 2021, when he caught 50 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns. But two procedures on his left knee limited Jefferson to just 11 games in 2023, and he caught just 24 passes for 369 yards. The Rams desperately need another wide receiver to emerge to compliment former All-Pro Cooper Kupp, and perhaps a healthy Jefferson will be that guy.
Chase Young, DE, Washington Commanders
By now, you know the story with Young. The former No. 2 overall pick won the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2020, recording 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. But he was underwhelming in nine games in 2021, before suffering a torn ACL that ended that campaign and turned 2022 in a lost year. The Commanders didn't pick up Young's fifth-year option, meaning he's entering a contract year. Will the player that look destined to be a perennial All-Pro both at Ohio State and in his rookie season re-emerge?
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans
Schultz became a free agent one year too late for his own good, as he likely would have made a lot of money had he reached the open market following a 2021 season that saw him haul in 78 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns. Instead, Schultz had to settle for a one-year deal with the Texans after a relatively disappointing final season with the Dallas Cowboys, one where he caught 57 passes for 577 yards. Still only 26, Schultz should immediately become one of the top targets for No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud. If so, perhaps he'll become part of the long-term plans in Houston.
Ronald Jones II, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Speaking of the Cowboys, they signed Jones -- a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer -- to a one-year deal this offseason. Unless Ezekiel Elliott ultimately returns to Dallas, Jones is in line to be the No. 2 back in Dallas behind Tony Pollard. Jones appeared in just six games for the Kansas City Chiefs last season, but had 978 rushing yards for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that won the Super Bowl in 2020. If coach Mike McCarthy is as committed to the run as he says he is, there should be plenty of carries for Jones to re-establish himself with in 2023.
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