According to the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder, the Indianapolis Colts have expressed interest in Wyoming running back Brian Hill during this week’s NFL Combine:
One RB I'm told #Colts have some interest in is Wyoming's Brian Hill. 4,287 career yards, including 1,860 in 2016. One of many, I'm sure.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 3, 2017
The 5’11”, 219 pound running back finished his standout Cowboys career with 4,287 rushing yards on 775 carries (5.5 ypc avg) and 35 rushing touchdowns.
Hill also had 41 receptions for 403 receiving yards in his 3-year collegiate career.
He’s coming off a star season in which he rushed for 1,860 rushing yards and a whopping 22 rushing touchdowns on 349 carries (5.3 ypc avg) and earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors for his exceptional season-long performance.
It’s worth noting that Colts head coach Chuck Pagano‘s alma mater is the University of Wyoming, so there’s one potential connection already there.
Currently projected to be a mid-round pick in what’s considered to a very deep draft class at running back by many draft experts, Hill could be a potential ‘bruising’ sleeper for the Colts:
If you're talking mid-rounders: Brian Hill from Wyoming https://t.co/hv1cwbIyvV
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 5, 2017
Specifically, Hill has drawn comparisons to emerging Miami Dolphins young running back Jay Ajayi, who just had a breakout season:
Watched Brian Hill this morning and now watching Jay Ajayi...seeing some similarties.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 20, 2016
Given Hill’s tendency to seek out contact and ‘mix it up’, it’s easy to see some of the similarities–although long-term, it may not be the best idea for his longevity:
Wyoming RB Brian Hill is a big fan of contact. pic.twitter.com/XElgb48UiY
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 10, 2017
Of course, the Colts could clearly use a long-term answer at the running back position, as veteran starter Frank Gore turns 34 years old in May. Not to mention, last year’s primary backup Robert Turbin is set to become a free agent.
The Colts could groom Hill or any young running back prospect behind Gore for a season before fully turning them loose after next season. However, it’s not out of the question that a young running back could push Gore for the starter’s job either.
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While the Colts have also been linked to Florida State’s Dalvin Cook in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, a mid-round draft pick on a running back such as Hill could make a lot more sense–especially given all the team’s holes defensively.
Along with Toledo’s Kareem Hunt and Boise State’s Jeremy McNichols among others, Hill appears to be one of the mid-round running back prospects to keep an eye on for the Colts come draft weekend.