INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Nyheim Hines #21 of the Indianapolis Colts returns a punt for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Nyheim Hines as a chance to become the Colts’ most relevant fantasy running back.
When it comes to Fantasy Football, you want to know who can be a player that gives you an advantage in your league. In most leagues, they experience PPR scoring. That makes pass-catching running backs a must get for any team. Dig a little more and see something important, which is what quarterbacks utilize their running backs the best in passing downs. And that’s when you look no further than Nyheim Hines as a top member of the fantasy football sleepers for this season.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if there is a game this year that Nyheim Hines has 10 catches,” Frank Reich says. “Philip (Rivers) has an uncanny ability to get the ball to the backs and checkdowns. Nyheim will be very much integrated into the game plan.”
This is a quote worth running with, considering what it can mean for Hines moving forward. And where he’s being drafted compared to teammates Jonathan Taylor and Marlon Mack, it makes him a huge steal and potential weekly flex.
Look no further than Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler in the past few seasons, as they were both huge pass catchers when playing with Philip Rivers. Ekeler carved out a flex role in his first two seasons before blasting on to the scene last year with 92 catches, second-best for all running backs in the NFL. Hines has a legitimate chance to be fantasy relevant and the most trustworthy back on the Colts.
If you’re still not sold on Hines as a top fantasy football sleeper, look at his first two seasons in the league to get an even better picture of what he can be.
In his first NFL season, he brought in 63 catches. Then in his second, he saw that number drop to 44. Of course, the quarterback play was different considering his rookie year was Andrew Luck at the helm and his second saw both Jacoby Brissett and Brian Hoyer play for the Colts. Philip Rivers is a huge improvement and will look for Hines often when he’s on the field.
Fantasy football sleepers can win the entire league and Hines is a name worth remembering come draft day. He should rise a bit more before your draft, but make sure to consider him with one of your last bench spots and earn a top flex option over the remainder of your season.