The Indianapolis Colts selected Northwestern running back Evan Hull with the No. 176 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Though Jonathan Taylor is expected to be ready after undergoing a minor surgery to clean up the ankle injury he dealt with in 2022, Hull should have a chance to compete for a spot in the room.
Here’s our instant analysis of the pick:
How this pick helps the Colts
The Colts didn’t need to add to the running back room considering Taylor will be the unquestioned starter, but Hull should provide some nice competition in the backfield. His ability as a pass-catcher could go a long way in securing him a roster spot.
What this pick means for offense
There’s no denying Taylor will be on the field for the majority of snaps, but if Hull carves out a pass-catching role, it could help rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson with a short-area target like the Northwestern product, especially considering that’s where Richardson struggled most college.
How he will be used
Hull has some juice at 209 pounds with a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash. He’s fine as a between-the-tackle runner, but his value comes as a pass-catcher. He’s a natural receiver and led all of FBS college football with 55 receptions in 2022.
Scouting Report
Here’s a scouting report on Hull from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, who gave him a Round 6 grade:
Compact, muscular runner with below-average explosiveness but decent downhill power. Hull’s lack of suddenness and foot quickness to quickly get in and out of cuts allows defenders to track him down. He needs to play with as much downhill movement as possible, so he will need a quality offensive line in front of him to succeed. He’s a very capable route-runner and pass-catcher but he needs to improve in pass protection for consideration as a third-down option. Hull might need the perfect team fit to stick around on a roster long-term.
Quick grade
Hull is a really nice pick in the fifth round. He has the upside to be a solid RB2, but he can compete immediately as the RB3 in the backfield. His pass-catching ability gives him an advantage and could be a nice quick-hitting target for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Grade: B
