The NFL has adopted the XFL’s kickoff rules, and the Cleveland Browns come out as winners after the signing of running back and return specialist Nyheim Hines.
He was added for just the cost of $3.5 million in 2024, and the running back and Hines has experience working with both offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone.
And Hines’ impact might be felt far more as a returner than it will on offense after the NFL adopted a new kickoff rule to allow for more returns and to penalize touchbacks.
You can read about the new kickoff rules here.
Hines, of course, had the notable game in Buffalo in 2022 where he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same 60 minutes. The veteran returner and receiving back also has two punt return touchdowns in his career.
According to Sumer Sports’ Tej Seth, Hines is third among all returners over the past two years with a minimum of 10 returns in average return yards.
highest average return yards on kickoffs, 2022-23 (min. 10 returns):
1. dallis flowers, 28.2
2. keisean nixon, 28.2
3. nyheim hines, 28.0
4. jamal agnew, 28.0
5. velus jones, 27.4 https://t.co/KGGfF1vHGx— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) March 26, 2024
There is a real chance the Browns and general manager Andrew Berry saw this rule change coming down the pipeline and went out of their way to add an explosive returnman as a result.
Can Hines make a big splash not only out of the backfield as a receiver but as a return specialist as well?