Who Should I Start? Nyheim Hines or Brandon Aiyuk

Tuesday, March 12, 11:45 AM

Free-agent running back Nyheim Hines (leg) is signing a one-year deal worth up to $3.5 million with the Cleveland Browns, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 27-year-old missed the entire 2023 season with the Buffalo Bills after suffering a major leg injury during the offseason. Hines entered the league as a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft via the Indianapolis Colts, where he was utilized as a receiving back behind Jonathan Taylor late in his tenure. In 72 games for the Colts, he caught 235 passes for 1,725 yards and seven touchdowns. He was traded to the Buffalo Bills at the 2022 deadline but only logged 11 touches for 50 yards thereafter. Hines will need to get past the leg injury, but he's a dynamic kick returner and could be in the mix as a change-of-pace back in Cleveland's backfield when he's fully healthy.

Sunday, April 14, 1:45 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk recently unfollowed the 49ers' account on the social media platform Instagram. He's also voiced his displeasure regarding his contract situation. However, the wideout's agent, Ryan Williams, responding to a post on X, denied that a trade had been requested. Aiyuk is coming off his best season, amassing 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Understandably, he wants a new deal instead of playing under his fifth-year option, which would pay him just over $14 million in 2024-25. Nonetheless, while general manager John Lynch has stated the organization doesn't plan to deal Aiyuk, it seems things aren't moving in a favorable direction. As usual in this type of situation, more updates should be on the horizon.