The Colts have an opening at kick returner heading into the 2018 season, and it looks like that position will be filled by one of their exciting rookies.
The Colts did not excel in the return game last season, and that included their kickoff return unit.
Quan Bray averaged an unspectacular 23.9 yards per kick return in 2017, and Indianapolis would love to improve on that number next season.
Bray has moved on to Buffalo this offseason, which creates an opening for a kick returner in Indianapolis.
The Colts think they’ve addressed that need by drafting speedy running back Nyheim Hines in the fourth round of this year’s draft.
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In addition to playing football at North Carolina State, Hines was also on the school’s track team, so Indianapolis’ front office and coaching staff are obviously excited about his speed. Hines showed off that speed during the NFL Combine running the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at nearly 200 pounds.
Hines returned kicks throughout his college football career.
He returned 88 kickoffs for an average of 24.7 yards per return over three years at NC State with 2 returns for touchdowns.
Hines also began returning punts during his final collegiate season, and he could be asked to do that as well in his rookie year.
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For now, Hines has been working as the Colts’ primary kick returner during OTA’s.
Indianapolis’ coaching staff wants to find a multitude of different ways to get Hines the football in 2018, and returning kicks will give him an opportunity to make some plays.
The Colts’ new rookie running back could inject some life into the return game in Indianapolis.