The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to return from their summer break on July 28 for training camp, barring any changes. We will be previewing the majority of the roster as the summer progresses.
Name: Marlon Mack
Position: RB
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 210
Age: 24
Free Agent Year: 2021
Background
A fourth-round pick with the Colts in 2017, Mack has been the starter in the backfield for the last two seasons. He has been an efficient running back working behind the elite offensive line for the Colts and while he has dealt with some injuries, he’s been a dependable back since taking over as the starter.
Over his last 26 games, Mack has taken 442 for 1,999 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Over a 16-game pace, that comes out to 272 carries for 1,230 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 4.52 yards per attempt.
With Mack, the biggest question mark has been health as he’s had a run-in with some kind of injury in each season since entering the league.
Expected Role
There is a lot of talk about Jonathan Taylor taking over the backfield, and rightfully so, but Mack isn’t going to just disappear. He’s been electric and efficient over the last two seasons and the Colts truly believe in the 1a-1b split that the backfield is headed for.
Mack will still be very much involved into the game plan for the Colts and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if he gets the benefit of the doubt as the starter on early downs to begin the season.
2020 Outlook
Mack has a lot to prove this season. While we don’t know for sure what the split will be between him and Taylor, the USF product will certainly have a role. Mack is still viewed as a major part of the offense even though the Colts traded up for Taylor in the second round.
It will be interesting to see how the Colts use Mack in 2020. Being in a contract year, the Colts might try to get as much as they can out of him before he hits the market—that’s if they have no inclination of re-signing him.
Regardless, Mack should still be viewed as an efficient and electric back. He and Taylor will form a strong duo at the top of the backfield, giving the Colts a nasty 1-2 punch behind Philip Rivers.
Bottom Line
The backfield is an interesting topic of discussion for the Colts. Mack has plenty of experience working as the starter, but he will relinquish some of that work to Taylor. How much remains to be seen, but Mack won’t simply disappear from the game plan in 2020.