The Baltimore Ravens have consistently had one of the league’s top rushing attacks over the last few years, but the ground game elevated to a new level in 2024 due to the addition of Derrick Henry. The five-time Pro Bowl running back rushed for 1,921 yards and a league-leading 16 touchdowns last year and once again proved why he is arguably the best running back of his generation.
Though Henry has shown little signs of decline despite being 31 years old, Last Word on Sports’ Anthony Palacios believes the Ravens should take some pressure off the former All-Pro and trade for Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift.
“Quarterback Lamar Jackson loves to run the football, and that was shown when they had Mark Ingram. Perhaps, Swift can be a better 2.0 version of himself and get those easy yardage down the stretch to make life easier for Henry. The veteran might be slowing down, but trading for Swift could be the best thing possible for the Ravens. He might not rush over 1,000 yards, but in this championship roster, he could do some damage,” Palacios wrote.
Swift could be a potential draft day trade candidate, as the Bears are expected to have heavy interest in Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in Round 1, and first-year head coach Ben Johnson may want to completely overhaul the running game.
Additionally, Swift’s efficiency dropped last year, and Chicago would save $6.6 million in cap space by trading him, per Over the Cap.
If the Bears end up moving Swift, the Ravens should see how much it would take to acquire the former second-round pick. Swift is a dynamic runner who would be the perfect complement to Henry in Baltimore’s backfield.
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The former Georgia standout is also still young at 26 years old and has two years left on his deal, meaning he could be Henry’s eventual replacement if the superstar playmaker doesn’t sign an extension and leaves the Ravens in free agency next offseason.
Swift landing in Baltimore would form the most versatile running back duo in recent memory, but the Ravens are likely comfortable with Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell as depth pieces behind Henry, so a trade is unlikely to come to fruition.
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