Nyheim Hines (RB, IND) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 62% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: This is, obviously, not the usual WW post you'll find weekly under my byline. Nyheim Hines is, first of all, a secondary rusher in his team behind a clear go-to running back in extraordinary Jonathan Taylor. Hines is also one of the most-rostered backup-RBs of the NFL for a reason: he can do it on his own and the minute Taylor gets injured he will get a massive fantasy boost.

The first part of that last sentence was always true. The second part, after Sunday's events, is now also a reality: Taylor left the Colts game after sustaining an ankle injury (high sprain) and could miss Indy's next game...which will be played on TNF this week. Injury to a stud + short recovery time (normally) equals sitting and resting such talent in order to prevent setbacks and further damage. In other words: you better be rushing to your WW and smashing that "Add" button next to Hines' name.

As expected, Hines was the only rusher getting reps after Taylor left the field. He's the most-obvious WW addition of the week and a must-start player in W5 as long as Taylor remains out. Hines has had a disappointing season to date, but that happens when you play behind a supernova rusher like Taylor that only allows you into the field in 28%, 30%, 45%, and (last weekend) 32% of the Colts' offensive plays.

Hines has both rushing and (most interestingly, making him an even better WW target for those managing in PPR leagues) pass-catching chops. He has a season-long tally of 17 receptions on 19 targets for 113 total yards although he has yet to score a receiving (nor rushing, for that matter) touchdown.

Indianapolis might be forced to change its scheme a bit with Taylor out, but the no. 1 rusher has carried the ball an average of 20+ times per game in the first four weeks while getting targeted 16 times over that span. Even if Hines only gets a fraction of that workload, he'll be looking at some 10+ carries with 6-to-10 targets on top of that.

Don't let his opportunity pass if only for a week and with upside for a long-term reward if Taylor goes on to miss more time.

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