NFL: One breakout star for each team in the 2018 season

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 31: Marlon Mack #25 of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball against the Houston Texans during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

46. . RB, Indianapolis Colts. . Marlon Mack. . team

Running backs that go in the third and fourth round of the NFL Draft come out with a chip on their shoulder and often play above expectations. That’s what the Indianapolis Colts hope to see from second-year running back Marlon Mack, who projects to be the week one starter with Frank Gore’s departure.

Indianapolis is backing Mack up with two rookies, Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins, Josh Ferguson, and Cowboy/Seahawk castoffs Robert Turbin and Christine Michael. It’s far from a dominating backfield, but the potential is absolutely there for the Colts run game.

ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 10: Marlon Mack #25 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball as Tre’Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills attempts to tackle him during the fourth quarter December 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

A shoulder injury that required offseason surgery forced Mack to miss two weeks early in the season, but didn’t prevent him from being a productive backup. Working behind Gore, Mack picked up 358 yards on the ground and four total touchdowns.

Head coach Frank Reich is coming out of Philadelphia where they had four backs get at least 40 carries with Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, and LeGarrette Blount, who got the majority of the carries. Indianapolis will need that type of production from their backs with the quarterback situation being unstable as Andrew Luck recovers from shoulder surgery.

Should Indianapolis be forced to lean on their run game due to Luck’s injury, Mack could be their go-to guy.

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