The Detroit Lions still have interest in bringing in veteran running back Todd Gurley to add to their current mix of backs that include D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Jermar Jefferson, Dedrick Mills and Mike Warren.
Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said Thursday he believes in the hot-hand approach to carries in the backfield, and with Gurley potentially joining the mix, there could be plenty of hands looking for touches.
But Lynn also said his offense will be about putting the ball in the best playmakers' hands, and in the case of the running backs, that won't always mean just handing off the football.
View photos from the sixth day of OTAs on Friday, June 5th.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) Detroit Lions offensive lineman Jonah Jackson (73) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle (12) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87)during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Director of Sports Performance Mike Clark during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tyrell Williams (6) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Director of Sports Science Jill Costanza during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Tavante Beckett (59) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Allison Geronimo (18) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit lions wide receiver Damion Ratley (17) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (93) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tyrell Williams (6) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Alize Mack (84) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Will Harris (25) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Darren Fells (80) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Breshad Perriman (19) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tyrell Williams (6) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Breshad Perriman (19) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood Detroit Lions General Manager Brad Holmes during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit lions wide receiver Damion Ratley (17) Detroit Lions corner back AJ Parker (41) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Anthony Lynn Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers (90) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Hunter Thedford (49) Detroit Lions tight end Alize Mack (84) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Jashon Cornell (96) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (50) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jahlani Tavai (51) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit lions safety Alijah Holder (33) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit lions defensive end Charles Harris (53) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Safety C.J. Moore (38) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions corner back Mike Ford (2) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions corner back Jerry Jacobs (39) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (23) during Lions OTAs at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit's backs could be a big part of the passing game too, and we're seeing that early on in OTAs, especially when it comes to Swift.
Some of the biggest plays in 7-on-7 periods in the two open in OTA practices so far have come from Swift.
Last week, he outran linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin on a crossing route, and quarterback Jared Goff hit him perfectly in stride. Swift ran down the right sideline for a big gain.
This week, Swift made a terrific grab across the middle in 7-on-7s after cutting behind a dropping Trey Flowers and then splitting the safeties for a score. Later in practice, Swift made a nasty cut to get by linebacker Alex Anzalone on an option route over the middle to make a grab for another big gain. It was such a filthy cut by Swift that the offense started chirping at the defense, including running backs coach/assistant head coach Duce Staley.
"He has natural hands," Lynn said of Swift. "He's learning coverage and how to read coverages and sit in zones and run through lanes and things like that. He's doing good. We can use him in a plethora of ways, in my opinion. I like his skillset so far."
Swift caught 46 passes for 357 yards and two touchdowns last season. That was on top of averaging 4.6 yards per carry and rushing for eight more scores. Swift said this offseason he could be a 75-plus-catch player out the backfield, if given the opportunity.
He's been getting a ton of opportunities to make plays in the passing game this offseason. He and Goff seem to be building quite a rapport early on. Swift is showing he can be a matchup weapon in the passing game, especially against linebackers.
"I'm about touches and how can I get guys touches," Lynn said. "Whether it's throwing it to them, quick passes, or handing it off to them, both of those guys (Swift and Williams) have done an outstanding job of showing me what they can do in the running game and in the passing game so far."
