Throughout the offseason, the Indianapolis Colts have talked up how well they believe running back Nyheim Hines fits in the passing game and with Philip Rivers now under center, the hype is real.
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Trying to sift through coach speak is tough, but the Colts have been banging the drum for Hines to have a breakout year. The third-year back should hold a big role in the passing game and is hopeful to prove he should.
“I’m very excited. Been waiting two or three years, just trying to catch balls and hopefully I get a little bit more opportunity,” Hines said Wednesday. “I’m going to try and earn that.”
The passing game is likely to take a step forward after an abysmal 2019 season. With Rivers under center, the entire offense should see a boost. Hines should be one of the biggest beneficiaries as long as he holds onto the third-down role in the backfield.
Hines already has the pedigree to be a strong pass catcher. He has seen the eighth-most receptions (107) and ninth-most targets (139) among running backs over the last two seasons. However, the efficiency is where he needs to improve.
Hines has averaged just 7.0 yards per reception over his first two seasons in the league. That’s not a terrible number but if he truly wants to make a bigger impact, that number has to hit the 8.0–8.5 range at the least.
“As a running back, we’re the safety valve,” Hines said. “I’ve always thought I was the safety valve that can take a five-yard dump and turn it into 50. That’s really what I’ve been planning on doing the last two years and hopefully show glimpses of it. I would love to do that this year and I think with Philip back there, there would be a great possibility of it.”
Where Hines can also make an impact is on special teams. Late in the season, he showed just what kind of explosiveness he brings to the return game. His success in a short sample changed the way he looks at that phase of the game.
“That last part of the season really changed how I view special teams,” said Hines. “I’d love to do punt and kick returns again. But I’ve got to go out there and earn both of the jobs. That’s what I plan on doing. I’d like to start at both of them.”
There has been a lot of talk for Hines this offseason and while it remains to be seen what his third year has in store for him, he’s ready for a bigger workload and a bigger impact.
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