The Colts are excited about dynamic rookie running back Nyheim Hines, and they’ve wasted no time in creating a role for him on offense.
The Colts have drafted running backs in the middle round of the draft two years in a row, and that seems to be a sweet spot for general manager Chris Ballard.
Marlon Mack showed plenty of promise as a fourth round rookie last season, and Ballard drafted two running backs in the middle of the 2018 NFL Draft.
“Running back” is probably too simple of a term to use for the Colts’ newest fourth round rookie running back Nyheim Hines.
Hines began his college career at North Carolina State as a receiver gaining 256 yards receiving on 20 catches out wide and running for 243 yards at 5.1 yards per carry as more of a gadget back.
Hines didn’t run the ball very much as a sophomore, but he gained 525 yards through the air on 43 receptions.
He proved he could be a bell cow back to go along with his receiving skills during his final year of college where he ran for over 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns at 5.6 yards per carry.
Indianapolis’ new offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni explained to the Indianapolis Star’s Zak Keefer why Hines will create problems for opposing defenses next season.
"“He’s just hard to understand defensively, in my mind, how you’re going to play him. He kind of reminds me a little bit of a Dexter McCluster type (a player with a similar skill set that Sirianni worked with in Kansas City and San Diego). Teams didn’t know what he was. Is he playing running back this week? Is he playing wide receiver this week? What is he? How do I defend him?”“And now, all of a sudden, you’re on the offensive and they’re on the defensive,” Sirianni continued, “Which is the way it’s supposed to be.”"
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Hines lined up all over the field during his collegiate career, and he will expected to bring the same versatility to the Colts’ offense as well.
In addition to his offensive versatility, Hines has also done some work for the Colts in the return game during OTA’s.
Hines believes that the coaching staff in Indianapolis will give him the best chance to succeed in the NFL.
"“If you don’t go to the right system, you won’t be used correctly,” said Hines. “I think this is a great fit … hopefully I’ll be a Colt my entire career, however long that is.”"
Next month’s training camp will paint an even clearer picture of how Frank Reich expects to use Hines in his new offense.
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Hines’ highlight reel from this upcoming season should be full of explosive plays from all over the field.