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

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues

OWNED IN: 30% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: Nyheim Hines is quite an efficient player, but he can be a little frustrating for fantasy owners. Just this past week, against Houston, Hines had a relatively good game. You wouldn’t think so given his 61 yards from scrimmage on 11 touches, but those are more than 5.5 yards per touch on very limited opportunities. That average is on par with or better than those of RB3 Aaron Jones, RB5 Alvin Kamara, or RB7 Ezekiel Elliott.

This was the first game the Colts had to play without Marlon Mack and I had big expectations of what Hines could do against the Texans. He achieved them to some extent, as he had his season-high in rushing attempts although he countered that with a low number of targets (three) compared to his slightly higher average. Indianapolis went with Jonathan Williams as the leading rusher (26 carries!), and he had a great 104-yard game including a touchdown. Hines isn’t that type of player, though he has a nice upside (mostly in PPR leagues) thanks to his receiving prowess.

With Indianapolis having a tough fantasy playoff schedule but a great matchup against Tennessee this week. The Titans have allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to RBs this year and three touchdowns, which fits Hines profile perfectly. If Marlon Mack misses this game, Hines should be at least the no. 2 running back in the Colts offense used mostly on passing plays. You can count on a floor of around eight fantasy points with upside to reach 16 or 18 if he’s targeted in the red zone or near the goal line. Hines should be a one-off addition from the Waiver Wire this weekend in deeper PPR leagues and a starter at a flex or second-flex position.