RADIO
Nyhem Hines is a fantasy football waiver wire pickup option for running backs. Target him as a free agent add off waivers for Week 5 of the 2022 NFL season.
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.
More Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Jerry Jeudy, Luther Burden III, Jayden Reed: Must-Add Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15 Fantasy?
It's Week 15, which is the first week of the fantasy football playoffs in most leagues. Whether you made it in and want to win a championship, or are just looking to avoid your league's last place spot, there's still reason to work the waiver wire. Even if you're out of the playoffs, it makes […]
Blake Corum, Devin Neal, Bam Knight: Must-Add Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15 Fantasy?
The fantasy football playoffs have arrived as we hit Week 15 of the NFL season. Fantasy championships will be on the line over the next three weeks, and these late-season decisions can be the difference between winning and losing. In this article, we'll look at three running backs listed in this piece who have all […]
Trey Benson, Bam Knight, Bhayshul Tuten: Must-Add Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14 Fantasy?
Let's say you're one of the many fantasy football managers who drafted Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (ankle). Maybe you chose Cardinals RB James Conner (ankle). Perhaps you selected Titans tailback Tony Pollard. If you chose any of these players, you've probably been hurting at RB for most of the season. The same […]
Mike Evans, Christian Watson, Jayden Higgins: Must-Add Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14 Fantasy?
The wide receiver position is just a little bit more forgiving than the running back position in terms of finding talent on the waiver wire. It's hard to find players that will be consistently good moving forward, though. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone), Green Bay Packers wideout Christian Watson, and Houston Texans […]
Kyle Monangai, Chris Rodriguez, Devin Neal: Must-Add Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14 Fantasy?
We are entering the home stretch of the fantasy football season, as managers look to fill their available roster spots with players that are ready to make an impact. Fantasy championships are on the line, and making the best decisions for your team is going to be the difference between winning and losing. The three […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
