{"id":44773,"date":"2018-06-14T19:00:33","date_gmt":"2018-06-14T23:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=44773"},"modified":"2018-06-14T21:26:13","modified_gmt":"2018-06-15T01:26:13","slug":"colts-marlon-mack-expectations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/06\/14\/colts-marlon-mack-expectations\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect From Marlon Mack for the Indianapolis Colts in 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Entering the 2018 season, expectations for second-year Colts running back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MackMa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Marlon Mack<\/strong><\/a> are optimistic.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GoreFr00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Frank Gore<\/strong><\/a><strong>,<\/strong> one of 5 players all-time to rush for at least 14,000 yards, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/2018\/03\/22\/frank-gore-signs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">is no longer the workhorse<\/a> for the Indianapolis backfield.\u00a0 There are some notable names on the free-agent market for the position, however, the Colts seem content with their current stable of tailbacks.\u00a0 Gore&#8217;s departure leaves a gaping hole for the Indy ground game; will Mack seize the opportunity?<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Will Marlon Mack Meet Expectations for the Indianapolis Colts?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Last season, Gore started all 16 games and received 261 carries.\u00a0 Mack netted 93 carries, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BrisJa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jacoby Brissett<\/strong><\/a>, filling in for an injured<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LuckAn00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Luck<\/a><\/strong>, was third on the team with 63 rushing attempts.\u00a0 The biggest question regarding Marlon Mack will be his projected usage.\u00a0 If he receives close to Gore&#8217;s 261 carries, similar or <em>better<\/em> numbers should result.\u00a0 Gore&#8217;s yards per attempt was 3.7 while Mack finished with 3.8.\u00a0 However, rushes of at least 20 yards were heavily in Mack&#8217;s favor, as he was tied for 11th in the NFL with six.\u00a0 Gore had one rush of at least 20 yards.\u00a0 Mack&#8217;s elusive rating (ability to miss tackles) and breakaway percentage show game-changing potential.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Can Marlon Mack seize the Indianapolis No. 1 RB job? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kRdLXRrVmX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/kRdLXRrVmX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; PFF Fantasy &amp; Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PFF_Fantasy\/status\/1006189569849679877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 11, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Running Back Competition<\/h2>\n<p>The Colts selected two running backs in the 2018 NFL Draft.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HineNy00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Nyheim Hines<\/strong><\/a> was selected 104th overall, followed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WilkJo01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jordan Wilkins<\/strong><\/a> with the 169th pick.\u00a0 Current players returning for the 2018 season include Marlon Mack, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/TurbRo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robert Turbin<\/a><\/strong>,<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/F\/FergJo02.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Ferguson<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MichCh00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christine Michael<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 The Colts typically keep four running backs on their active roster. Marlon Mack is the early front-runner for lead back duties.\u00a0 Robert Turbin has a clearly defined role as the short-yardage back.\u00a0 This leaves two spots open for the remaining players.<\/p>\n<p>Nyheim Hines is showing quite a bit of versatility during the team&#8217;s OTA practices.\u00a0 From lining up as a receiver in the slot to fielding kickoffs, his roster spot is all but assured.\u00a0 He projects as a change of pace option, who thrives when given the ball in space.\u00a0 Hines&#8217; presence will likely end the tenure for Josh Ferguson.\u00a0 Both are similar players, however, Hines is a fourth-round draft pick with a higher ceiling than the undrafted Ferguson.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Nyheim Hines running as Colts\u2019 Kick Returner <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XNeZZZUApD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/XNeZZZUApD<\/a>\u2019-Kick-Returner<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rotoworld_fb\/status\/1005851825294192640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 10, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Jordan Wilkins, at 6&#8217;1&#8243; and 200 pounds, fits the mold of a three-down running back.\u00a0 Pro Football Focus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.profootballfocus.com\/news\/fantasy-football-ranking-the-2018-fantasy-rookies\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">listed Wilkins 28th among all rookies<\/a> in regards to dynasty fantasy football rankings.\u00a0 He is even receiving some first-team reps at minicamp with a minor injury sidelining Marlon Mack.\u00a0 Having Wilkins on the roster will allow the Colts to release the Seattle castoff, Christine Michael.\u00a0 Wilkins offers way more upside and is an intriguing option moving forward.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jordan Wilkins mixes in with Colts 1st-team O <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/S5JSMaKp9O\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/S5JSMaKp9O<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rotoworld_fb\/status\/1006956575074942976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 13, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Which Colts running back emerges as the starter?<\/h2>\n<p>Marlon Mack, barring injury, is the week 1 starter.\u00a0 Jordan Wilkins is the dark horse candidate who could be the starter by the end of the season.\u00a0 Colts fans should not be surprised if new head coach<strong> Frank Reich<\/strong> rotates rushers frequently.\u00a0 With an improved offensive line and Andrew Luck returning, the Colts running backs should have more room to roam.\u00a0 Colts fan will be excited, regardless of who is the starter.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"9RLUMyfNTmB8PJl2Ixzlfg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/901960568\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'9RLUMyfNTmB8PJl2Ixzlfg',sig:'M4Rs11J4y9EnhpfVVGpxGmDokJYVDoG_9DciS_ldwwE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'901960568',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Entering the 2018 season, expectations for Colts running back Marlon Mack are optimistic. Will the second-year back seize the opportunity?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1919,"featured_media":44867,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12,54],"tags":[61,56,4074,2252,40,3825,1338],"class_list":["post-44773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colts","category-editorials","tag-football","tag-indianapolis-colts","tag-jordan-wilkins","tag-marlon-mack","tag-nfl","tag-nyheim-hines","tag-robert-turbin"],"modified_by":"John Bava","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1919"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44773\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}