Nyheim Hines (RB, IND) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

OWNED IN: 20% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: Jonathan Taylor averaged a whopping 309 attempts and 2,058 rushing yards per season during his three years at Wisconsin. But he only accumulated 42 receptions and 407 yards as a receiver. He will begin this season splitting carries with Marlon Mack, while Hines will operate as Philip Rivers’ primary receiving weapon from the backfield. It seems everyone is expecting Jonathan Taylor to break out and win Rookie of the Year in his first NFL contest. Not only is that premature, it's unrealistic.

Taylor had a hard time catching passes during the preseason and will not have a big role as a receiver initially as he acclimates to the league and gains the trust of the coaching staff. That role belongs to Hines, who has caught 107 passes his first two seasons.

Hines tied for seventh among all backs in targets during 2018 (81), was eighth in receptions (63), and 15th in receiving yards (425). But his snap count percentage shrunk from 44% to 32% last season. This resulted in a drop for his per-game averages in targets (5.1-3.6), receptions (3.9-2.8), and yardage (26.6-20). But Hines still paced the Colt backfield in each category, as Mack was relegated to minimal involvement (17 targets/14 receptions/82 yards).

Rivers’ reunion with Frank Reich could propel Hines to a role that replicates Danny Woodhead’s usage when Rivers and Reich were with the Chargers. This supplies you with a viable flex option in PPR leagues. He also gets to face Jacksonville in Week 1, which allowed the ninth-most receiving yards to running backs last year.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice