Colts: Nyheim Hines will be essential thanks to Philip Rivers

Don’t lose Nyheim Hines in your Colts backfield projections.

The Indianapolis Colts drafted one of the most iconic running backs of the last decade in college football, adding Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor to Marlon Mack, forming a bruising backfield behind their behemoth of a line.

But don’t forget the 5-9 mighty mite in your attempts to divvy up carries and divide Indy’s plan of rushing attack.

The incredibly speedy Nyheim Hines has proven in recent years that he deserves his fair share of touches (and, more importantly, swing passes) too, and Philip Rivers is the perfect QB to incorporate him into the game plan.

As he’s aged, Rivers’ propensity for checking the ball down to his RBs has only increased in frequency. For those of you who remember the glory days of Darren Sproles, an older Rivers is far more likely to offer opportunities to a small, spry ‘back, hence the emergence of Austin Ekeler.

Hines is now stepping seamlessly into that role, with a two-headed monster of bruisers surrounding him. He is Rivers’ out clause. He’s the newfound burst of mobility. He couldn’t have tripped into a better scenario.

And, oh yeah … Hines is really fast.

This isn’t just a marriage of convenience. Hines is the perfect man for Rivers’ vision, and he’s just waiting to contribute, lifting pressure off his teammates.

In his rookie year, Hines hauled in 63 receptions for 425 yards, against just 85 rushing attempts (314 additional yards on the ground and two scores). Last season, under Jacoby Brissett, his production slipped in a more unconventional offense — 44 catches on 58 targets, a decrease from the 81 chances Andrew Luck gave him the previous season.

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But under the Rivers Administration, there should be a renewed emphasis on safety valves, both at the tight end position (looking at you, Trey Burton) and out of the backfield. Despite a clogged depth chart, Rivers’ arrival should be the best thing that ever happened to Hines, a fellow member of the NC State Wolfpack brotherhood.