Colts: Nyheim Hines extension locks down another star from loaded 2018 draft class
By Jerry Trotta
The Indianapolis Colts‘ 2018 draft class doesn’t get mentioned enough as one of the best in the last several years.
Of course, that group is headlined by picks such as Quenton Nelson at No. 6 overall — after GM Chris Ballard absolutely fleeced the Jets by trading back multiple picks — and Darius Leonard and Braden Smith in the second round, which look like steals given both of them just inked top-dollar extensions this offseason.
Speaking of extensions, the Colts have wisely decided to lock down arguably the most underrated player from that class, Nyheim Hines.
On Friday evening, less than 48 hours before Sunday’s season opener, the Colts and Hines agreed to a three-year, $18.6 million extension.
Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the deal includes $12 million in guaranteed money. In another juicy detail that proves how much Indy values Hines, his new $6.2 million annual average salary makes him one of the 10 highest-paid RBs in the NFL.
The Colts and RB Nyheim Hines have agreed to a 3-year, $18.6M extension with $12M guaranteed, his agents @ed_waz & @J_App10 tell ESPN.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 10, 2021
The $6.2M/year in new money per year makes Hines one of the top 10 highest-paid RBs in the league and ties him to Indy through 2024.
The Colts signed Nyheim Hines to a deserved three-year extension.
A dynamic running back like Hines was going to have no shortage of suitors if he hit the open market next offseason, so credit to Ballard and the Colts for being proactive and locking him down through the 2024 campaign.
A fourth-round pick of the star-studded 2018 draft class, Hines has steadily improved in each of his three seasons with the Colts. In 2020, he received the biggest workload of his career following Marlon Mack’s season-ending Achilles injury, and he rewarded Indy’s faith with a breakout campaign.
Hines appeared in all 16 games and tallied career-bests in carries (89), rushing yards (380), rushing touchdowns (three) and yards per carry (4.3).
The 24-year-old also enjoyed his most productive season as a pass-catcher, tying his career-high in catches (63), while setting new personal records in receiving yards (482) touchdown catches (four) and yards per target (6.3).
Colts, Nyheim Hines agree to three-year, $18.6 million extension. https://t.co/kcbsx2t7eh
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 10, 2021
Who wants more details about Hines’ sneaky groundbreaking contract? His $6.2 million annual salary makes him the highest-paid non-lead RB in the league. That’s crazy if you think about it, though it’s no doubt fully deserved.
After all, we’re talking about a player who led the Colts in receptions last year and has a whopping 170 as a running back since entering the NFL in 2018. He also quietly has the highest average yards per punt return (14.9) in league history.
The Colts clearly view him as an indispensable piece of their offense, so expect big things from the North Carolina State product in 2021.
Whether it be as a runner, receiver or return specialist, Hines does it all for Indianapolis and earned this life-changing contract.
