As great as the Eagles have been this season, it still feels like they have yet to have that game where they wow you, and you say, “this team is that good.” The defense has been hotter than they have been cold and the offense has played at an efficient rate but there’s still something missing.
It felt like the Eagles were one piece away on defense from really being dominant and then they went out and traded for Robert Quinn. The same can be said for the offense as it just feels like they’re missing a pop to them.
With the trade deadline only hours away, the Eagles’ GM Howie Roseman can send his team over the top by acquiring another weapon on offense. While the national media has constantly connected Kareem Hunt to the Birds. There may be a more viable option for them in a place that’s all too familiar for Nick Sirianni.
On Monday night, Adam Schefter reported that several teams have shown interest in Indianapolis Colts RB Nyheim Hines. This would be a great move for the Eagles if they were able to acquire a player of his talents for a bargain. Hines can check off several boxes for Philadelphia.
Advantage Eagles
He’s a stout running back that hasn’t been properly used this season by the struggling Colts. Hines has only rushed the ball 18 times in 8 games and has only been targeted 28 times in the passing game.
Of those 28 targets, he’s caught the ball 25 times. Now while he isn’t going out there and running fly routes, Hines is still catching the ball at an efficient rate of 89.3%. He’s averaging 7.5 yards per reception which is a bit higher than his career average but that’s nearly double the amount that Sanders is catching it.
While the Eagles haven’t had the need to pass it to their running backs, the ability to do so can only help Hurts from here on out, especially with a player like Hines. He would be able to give Hurts an efficient check down option during those moments when no one is open. Adding Hines will also help the screen game flourish as we all know just how much Shane Steichen loves his screens.
To add another wrinkle to this thought, Hines can also fill in the role of being a punt returner which would limit Britain Covey to only kick returns. Hines is averaging 10.1 yards per punt return and could truly add a new dynamic to this team if used back there. His presence and knowledge could also help in the development of Britain Covey as well. This could spell the offense from having to start the drives from deep within their own side of the field.
The key thing to all of this is that if the Eagles do trade for Hines then they will have him the option to have under contract for the next two seasons. Hines would only be on the books for $10 million over the course of the next two seasons. This would give the Eagles flexibility to move on from both Miles Sanders and Boston Scott which means the team can draft a young back to pair with Hines and save money.
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