Evan Hull Could Be Nyheim Hines 2.0 in Colts' New Offense
When the Indianapolis Colts traded Nyheim Hines to the Buffalo Bills last season, they lost a versatile piece in their offense.
While the Colts received back Zack Moss in the trade, who played admirably to end the 2022 season, Moss fits more of the mold of a Jonathan Taylor. Taylor and Moss are at their best when used as pure running backs. Whether between the tackles or on the edge, Taylor and Moss are great backs running with the football.
Hines, on the other hand, offered a receiving back option to the Colts' offense. Indy would use Hines in the backfield, in the slot, or even out wide to give him favorable matchups where he could catch the ball and go to work. That was lost when Hines was traded.
Now with Shane Steichen as the new head coach for the Colts, a receiving back was needed, once again. The Colts made this a priority by selecting Evan Hull with the No.176 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft this past weekend. In four seasons at Northwestern, Hull racked up 2,417 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground while adding 94 catches for 851 yards and four touchdowns through the air.
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"I feel like as a player, I can fit into any type of scheme, especially one that utilizes the back in a bunch of different ways," Hull said on Saturday. "So, I’m just really looking forward to using that skillset and applying it to the Colts. That pass-catching ability, that pass protection, running the ball, all three phases.”
The Colts have had their eyes on Hull for quite some time. The Colts met with Hull at the Senior Bowl in early February and really liked the type of person he was and his football character. Hull has an incredible work ethic and is always working to improve his game.
Throughout the draft process, Hull was in communication with the Colts through running back coach DeAndre Smith. From the NFL Scouting Combine through his pro day, Hull and Smith formed a good connection. The connection was strong enough for Smith to have the conviction needed for the Colts to pull the trigger on the Northwestern Wildcat.
"I would say I had a pretty good established relationship with the running back coach, Coach Smith," Hull admitted. "That’s really where it started honestly. He was one of the first coaches to have a Zoom call with me right after my pro day. We had a great talk at the (NFL) Combine and I could just tell he’s a coach that I want to play for. He’s had a lot of experience in the league and I could tell he’s got a genuineness to him. So, we hit it off right away.
"The call (from the Colts) itself was really cool. Being able to just talk with everybody on the staff and share some connections like, you know, some guys growing up right by the stadium at Northwestern and stuff like that. I talked to Coach Fitz (Pat Fitzgerald) too and he said he had just texted the GM of the Colts (Chris Ballard) and they were saying, they know what they’re getting out of Northwestern guys – high character people and great football players. So, I’m just so excited about this."
Hull joins Northwestern defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore as the only pair of teammates drafted by the Colts in the 2023 class. The two have been teammates with the Wildcats since 2019, growing together both on and off the field. Now, they get to experience their NFL dreams wearing the same uniform.
"It’s dope and really a blessing because we’ve gone through this whole process together really," Hull explained about Adebawore. "I mean, we were roommates at the Senior Bowl, we connected at the Combine too. So, it’s like every step of the way just to be with each other and kind of always check in, see how we’re doing and then to end up on the same team is awesome really. I know the Colts are getting a great pass rusher, a great player, a freak athlete. I know you guys have seen the Combine stats and all that but we always knew that at Northwestern that he’s a freak athlete. So, I’m just excited to see him in the white and blue.”
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Below is an excerpt from the 2023 Indy Draft Guide on Hull's fit with the Colts:
Evan Hull projects as one of, if not the, most natural receiving back in this class. Hull moves really well out of the backfield and projects as a change-of-pace and receiving back at the next level. He would be a nice complement to Jonathan Taylor if the opportunity presents itself.
Hull knows coming in that Taylor is the unquestioned featured running back for the Colts. Although he dealt with injuries a season ago, Taylor is only one year removed from running for 1811 yards and 20 total touchdowns on his way to being named First-Team All-Pro. Hull is just ready to learn and help out wherever he can.
"I’m really looking forward to it honestly because Jonathan Taylor is a player that I honestly studied all through college and even a little bit in high school too when he was at Wisconsin," Hull remarked. "So, I’m really looking forward to just being in the same room as him and picking his brain on things. He’s been in the league for some time and has had some success. I want to know what goes into that. I love the opportunity to do that.”
Looking at Steichen's offense with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, Hull will likely fill the role held by Kenneth Gainwell. He can contribute as a change-of-pace back that can run between the tackles and be a weapon in the passing game for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. At 5'10", 209 pounds, and with a 4.47 40-time, Hull is a speedy pass-catching back that can get downhill in a hurry, picking up first downs when called upon.
The Colts may have lost Hines last year but could be looking at Hines 2.0 in Hull. That alone should get Colts fans excited about their new running back.
More Colts Draft Picks
- Round 1 Pick 4: QB Anthony Richardson - Florida
- Round 2 Pick 44: CB Julius Brents - Kansas State
- Round 3 Pick 79: WR Josh Downs - North Carolina
- Round 4 Pick 106: OT Blake Freeland - BYU
- Round 4 Pick 110: DT Adetomiwa Adebawore - Northwestern
- Round 5 Pick 138: CB Darius Rush - South Carolina
- Round 5 Pick 158: S Daniel Scott - California
- Round 5 Pick 162: TE Will Mallory - Miami
- Round 6 Pick 211: DE Titus Leo - Wagner
- Round 7 Pick 221: CB Jaylon Jones - Texas A&M
- Round 7 Pick 236: OT Jake Witt - Northern Michigan
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