NFL Trade Grades: Bills bolster RB corps with Nyheim Hines from Colts

The Buffalo Bills continue their methodical “All-In” approach with their buzzer-beating trade for running back Nyheim Hines from the Indianapolis Colts. 

James Holzhauer used an “All-In” Approach to becoming a Jeopardy legend. The Rams used it to win a Super Bowl, and now the Buffalo Bills are following suit.

With Tuesday’s trade deadline fast approaching, Buffalo hit a last-second shot to secure running back Nyheim Hines from the Indianapolis Colts, adding to their running back room and giving quarterback Josh Allen another weapon for the offense and more stability in the run game and special teams.

In return for Hines, running back Zack Moss was shipped out along with a sixth-round pick that could turn into a fifth.

Buffalo gets another versatile piece for their offense and special teams

At first glance, the Buffalo Bills run their offense through Josh Allen, which is correct. However, a more old-school approach on Sunday Night Football allowed them to overcome second-half turnovers against an enigmatic Green Bay Packers team.

Devin Singletary is a good running back, but Buffalo needs a bit more help on their team. While Nyheim Hines isn’t the one guy who’s going to light up the Buffalo Courier-Express, he certainly fits into the scheme that Sean McDermott and Ken Dorsey want to run.

Hines is a solid option out of the backfield, but he will also be valuable on special teams, which rank s third in the league right now. Nothing better than to add more to strengthen the unit, and the price for acquiring his services isn’t that much as general manager Brandon Beane can trade down with ease and recuperate whatever low-round pick that may have been given up.

It’s not a home-run type of pick, but it’s a move that can only help as opposed to hurt, so the Bills did good with this and added depth to a team that’s looking to make some noise in January and potentially February.

TRADE GRADE: B+

Indianapolis gets another young bruiser for their backfield and a draft pick to compensate.

The Colts’ decision to trade Hines is a bit puzzling, yet not cringe-worthy. The Colts rank No. 19 in the league in special teams, and with Hines moving on, they could either go up or down.

However, receiving Zack Moss and a draft pick in return is interesting. The Colts can’t be faulted, although their special teams could be affected due to this move. It’s not been a good season thus far for the Horseshoe folks, but getting a draft pick back for a player makes this deal more salvageable.

Yet, Hines signed a contract extension with the Colts in 2021, and now a year later, he’s on the move. So much for long-term security. If the Bills were to win the whole thing, it’s safe to assume Hines would be more than happy to wear the Super Bowl ring and join in the parade than to mope about having to leave Indiana and head to Western New York.

TRADE GRADE: C