The Indianapolis Colts have undergone much change in the backfield following the departure of veteran running back Frank Gore, who has been the starter for the last three years.
This has opened the door for second-year running back Marlon Mack to break through in the 2018 campaign, which team owner Jim Irsay has voiced that believes that the 22-year-old could be in line for a year to notch 1,500 yards, according to Zak Keefer of The Indy Star.
“I think Mack has a chance to be a special guy this year,” he said. “Depends on how many times you want to feed him the ball,16-20 touches on the ground (a game) and I could see him approaching 1,500 yards (for the season). I really could. He is just better than you think he is every time you watch him.”
Mack has a chance to secure the starting job to begin the year with Robert Turbin suspended for the first four games of the regular season due to violating the performance-enhancing drug policy. He has already shown some flash of potential with his ability on the field behind his production in a secondary role in the backfield rushing for 358 yards on 93 carries along with three touchdowns while hauling in 21 catches for 225 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The return of Pro Bowl quarterback Andrew Luck should help tremendously in freeing up more opportunities for him to be a more effective option out of the backfield. This could see him become more heavily involved in the passing game while potentially utilizing him as a three-down back for at least the first month of the season with Turbin out of the mix.
Ultimately, it is on Mack's shoulders to prove that he can be that game-changing factor in order to firmly secure the starting job next season.
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