The Detroit Lions added a running back via the 2020 NFL Draft, selecting D'Andre Swift with the No. 35 pick. Ahead of the upcoming season, Matt Patricia commented on Detroit's running back competition.

Per Evan Petzold in the Detroit Free Press:

“There’s competition at every spot, that’s how it’s determined when we get to training camp,” Patricia said. “I’m pretty sure I’m good with the quarterback spot, but beyond that, we’re going to go out and compete.”

Since the end of the last season, the Lions have expressed confidence in Matthew Stafford under center. On the other hand, despite already having Kerryon Johnson, Detroit is willing to use multiple guys in the backfield.

“For me, we’re going to try to play whoever is going to help us in that particular play, that particular game, whatever it might be,” he said. “If you’re out there for the very first play, or you get out there on the second play, I don’t really understand what the difference is in a starter in that case.

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When the Lions selected Swift, some were led to believe that he could dethrone Johnson as the starter. However, Patricia was coy on saying who would be the official starter.

“But, certainly, we’re excited to be able to acquire Swift and get him on our team and seeing what he can do. Sometimes you put two or three running backs out there. We will see what happens.”

Coming out of Georgia, Swift is a well-versed back that can be a dual-threat weapon. Given that, Patricia believes he can make an immediate impact for the Lions in 2020.

“Everything checked the boxes for us, a guy that we think is dynamic enough in the run-game, explosive, big playmaker,” Patricia said, “but (he) also can catch the ball, get out of the backfield, open up the formation and just put a lot of pressure on the defense to make plays we need.”

The Lions are set at quarterback with Stafford returning from injury. As for the running back position, it remains to be seen who emerges as the No. 1 guy on the depth chart.