The Indianapolis Colts have maintained their faith in running back Marlon Mack throughout the offseason, and he’s been named the “main guy” by head coach Frank Reich.
While the Colts do like to rotate their running backs in, Mack is expected to be the clear-cut leader in the backfield for the upcoming 2019 season. Reich echoed those statements Tuesday as the Colts begin mandatory minicamp.
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Mack averaged 4.7 yards per carry in 2018 and wound up recording 10 total touchdowns with nine coming via the ground. He was extremely explosive during his second season behind an offensive line that proved to be an elite unit.
Reich has made it clear they want to be more of a running team in 2019, especially after they struggled with consistency throughout the entire campaign. This only adds to the hype that Mack will be getting for his third season.
However, it should be noted his upside—both in real and fantasy football—will be somewhat limited due to the fact that he won’t be the main pass catcher. Reich also maintained that second-year back Nyheim Hines will reprise that role after recording 63 receptions his rookie season.
The Colts are looking to be more efficient running the football, but if they can take what they did in the second half of the season and make it last 16 games, they should achieve their goal of being one of the best units on the ground.
Should that take place, expect Mack to be at the forefront of the attack.
