The Colts offensive backfield is in a state of flux right now, and they may need a free agent like Jerick McKinnon to transition into the next era of Indianapolis running backs.
With Frank Gore’s tenure in Indianapolis possibly over, the Colts probably need to add another running back or two to the roster this offseason.
Marlon Mack showed his playmaking ability in the passing game as well as running the football as a rookie, and he could be the future of the Colts backfield. If Mack is going to be the starter moving forward, who would be a good fit as a complimentary running back?
Jerick McKinnon says he wants to be a featured back, but the reality is there aren’t many featured backs left in the NFL. Most offenses employ multiple running backs in their systems, and the best example of that would be Josh McDaniels’ offense in New England.
The Patriots have a different running back for every type of gameplan, and McDaniels may want to form another diverse committee of tailbacks in Indianapolis.
McKinnon gained 570 yards on the ground at 3.8 yards per carry last season, and he also caught 51 passes for 421 yards in 2017. Putting McKinnon and Mack on the field at the same time would be one way to create matchup problems for opposing defenses.
McKinnon and Mack’s skillsets overlap a bit much for my taste, but I wouldn’t be opposed to adding McKinnon to the Colts backfield for the right price.
Next: Indianapolis Colts Mock Draft 1.2
Here are some other possible free agent targets for the Colts this offseason:
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