Nyheim Hines (RB, IND) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues

OWNED IN: 30% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: While it was reasonable to get excited about Jonathan Williams’ potential impact on the Colts offense once Marlon Mack went down injured (Williams had back-to-back 100-plus yards games of 15.7 and 21.1 fantasy points), I also suspected that couldn’t be for real and last for long. Williams proved me right this past Sunday when he only got 14 yards on eight carries. Nyheim Hines has never reached William’s ceiling this season, sure, but he’s been a steady performer every week and in his last four games he’s scored 8 and 12 FP twice each. Just this past weekend he finished with a 12-point performance in which he rushed for 22 yards and a touchdown on just four carries, while adding 18 yards through the air on two receptions against the Titans.

Hines was the only Colts rusher able to score on Sunday and he did on the ground. That’s remarkable, considering his short usage in that part of the game (he logged nine carries in Week 12 but has topped at four in every other game). Hines has now scored a rushing touchdown in two of his last three games, which boosts his value on top of what he can provide as a pass-catcher. Hines is averaging virtually the same targets (3.8) as rushing attempts (3.9) on the season and he’s been efficient both running (3.2 yards per attempt) and receiving (7.9 yards per reception). Hines doesn’t have the best numbers among rushers, which is normal considering his role, but he ranks in the 80th percentile or better in most receiving metrics among tailbacks (air yards, average depth of target, and percentage of team targets to name a few).

Even if Mack comes back Hines should keep his role on the offense as his abilities are the perfect complement to any pure rusher. He will keep logging his average four-and-four attempts and targets per game and he’s shown how he’s capable to score on the ground while he could also cross the goal line if targeted inside the 20-yard line. I wouldn’t consider Hines a must-add in shallow leagues, but he’s definitely a good play for deeper leagues at the flex or second-flex spots if you have a hole there. Keep in mind he brings extra value on PPR-format leagues due to his role/profile.