Nyheim Hines Fantasy Outlook Lacks Upside in Crowded Colts Backfield

Nyheim Hines is coming off of a productive 2020 campaign thanks to being a major factor in the Indianapolis Colts' passing game. He heads into 2021, though, behind Jonathan Taylor on the depth chart and competing with Marlon Mack for backup touches in the backfield.

The current RB corps limits Hines' potential heading into the season.

Nyheim Hines Fantasy Outlook

The Colts managed to support two top fantasy RBs last season, with Taylor ranking as RB6 and Hines coming in at RB15 in PPR scoring. Coming off of that 2020 performance, Hines is being drafted as the current RB45 (No. 130 overall), according to FantasyPros' average draft position (ADP) data. However, Taylor's role possibly growing in Year 2 and Mack's return detract from Hines' outlook.

Hines racked up a career-high 862 yards from scrimmage last season. His production was buoyed by his receiving involvement, seeing 4.8 targets per game. He made the most of his passing game opportunities, recording 3.9 receptions while boasting an 82.9% catch percentage.

That's where most of Hines' value lies once again. His averages of 5.6 attempts for 23.8 rushing yards per game in 2020 were nothing special, and Taylor will see the bulk of those touches as the Colts' workhorse this year.

However, it's believed that Taylor's involvement in the passing game could also increase in 2021. He already saw 39 targets last year, and that number expanding would be detrimental to Hines' production.

There's also the wild card factor of Mack, who's returning from a torn Achilles. He was a 1K-yard rusher prior to Taylor's arrival, and he could challenge Hines for rushing opportunities. Mack's average of 25.3 targets over his first three seasons also presents another possible source of attrition.

Hines should be the Colts' top receiving option of the backfield again in 2021, though there's no guarantee he lives up to his top-15 finish last season. The potential for his receiving looks to fall off, plus his lackluster run game contributions, make him a possible bust candidate.

Hines checks in at RB35 in our 2021 PPR fantasy football rankings.

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Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.