Who Should I Start? D'Andre Swift or Dylan Sampson

Saturday, August 30, 6:18 PM

Dan Wiederer of The Athletic believes Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift could surpass 1,500 yards from scrimmage this season. While that mark may not be realistic, there are more than a few reasons to believe Swift might be in line for his best year to date. Ben Johnson, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator and new Bears head coach, was instrumental in the success of Jamaal Williams, David Montgomery, and Jahmyr Gibbs. With Johnson "devoted" to the run and the Bears lacking proven depth in the backfield, the door is open for Swift to thrive. The 26-year-old has bounced around the National Football League since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In 73 regular-season contests with the Lions, Eagles, and Bears, he's accumulated 3,688 yards and 29 touchdowns off 846 carries, adding eight more scores as a pass-catcher. Quarterback Caleb Williams will certainly get his opportunities to run in 2025. However, Swift should remain atop the depth chart as long as he's productive. If not, rookie Kyle Monangai could be the favorite to take over in the backfield.

Thursday, August 28, 10:41 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie Dylan Sampson has emerged as the clear No. 2 back behind Jerome Ford with Quinshon Judkins still unsigned. Sampson has shown burst and reliability in camp, locking down the change-of-pace role. Ford, meanwhile, has never logged more than 250 touches in a season, leaving the door open for Sampson to carve out meaningful snaps or even push for a bigger role if Ford falters. His skill set makes him a versatile complement in Cleveland's backfield. Fantasy managers should view Sampson as a valuable late-round flier with legitimate upside if the backfield shifts in his favor.