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: Nyheim Hines
Position: RB
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 196
Age: 23
Free Agent Year: 2022
Background
The Colts brought in Hines using a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Since then, Hines has seen a strong share of the passing game. Over the last two seasons, Hines is eighth in receptions (107) and ninth in targets (139) among running backs.
While he has been inefficient between the tackles, Hines provides versatility in the passing game being able to line up both in the slot and out of the backfield. He also proved lat in 2019 that he has supreme special teams values by taking nine punt returns for 281 yards and two touchdowns.
Expected Role
Hines will certainly have a role in the passing game. The big debate is simply how much of the target share will he hold. His new quarterback in Philip Rivers historically targets the running back position at an uber-high rate. He should lead the backfield in targets and could even approach the 15% threshold for market share.
Hines won’t see as many snaps as the early-down backs in Jonathan Taylor and Marlon Mack, but he will get his fair share of work in the passing game.
2020 Outlook
With Rivers coming into to town for at least one season, Hines should hold a solid role. He doesn’t have the ceiling of an Austin Ekeler, per se, but he could fill that role for the Colts—even though there is more work to go around in this backfield as opposed to the Chargers.
Hines should be in line for a quasi-breakout campaign if he can improve his yards per reception marks (7.0), but it all comes down to how much work he will see in the passing game. If many of his targets come from the slot, he will have some competition in second-year wideout Parris Campbell.
But the Colts have been banging the drum loudly for a Hines breakout in 2020, so don’t be surprised if it happens.
Bottom Line
The Colts have an explosive and talent backfield to work with during the 2020 season. It will undoubtedly be a timeshare between the three backs, but Hines has a role carved out in the passing game. The only question is how big that role will be.