ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. breaks down D’Andre Swift draft stock

Mel Kiper Jr. won’t get any arguments from Georgia fans about D’Andre Swift being the best back available in the NFL draft.

But part of his running backs breakdown  might raise an eyebrow or two.

Kiper, ESPN’s celebrated NFL draft  expert, predicts Swift will be the first running back selected, likely on April 23 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Miami Dolphins.

RELATED: Former Alabama NFL MVP likes D’Andre Swift’s game

“What sets him apart is the completeness, as a runner, receiver, blocker and ball security,” Kiper said on conference call earlier this week. “All four areas, he comes out on top.”

And yet, Kiper made the case that Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor are better in the specific area of running the football.

“Now, Dobbins is a fierce runner, I think he’s the best pure runner,” Kiper said. “He and Jonathan Taylor would be the best two pure runners.”

Swift’s cutback ability puts him in a league of his own, through his junior season, there was less of that and more authoritative North-South running into 8-man boxes.

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