The newest member of the Indianapolis Colts is fullback and special teamer Roosevelt Nix.
The Colts are signing former Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix, a source confirmed. @Schultz_Report had it first.
Nix is a lead blocker, but a good one. Made the Pro Bowl in 2017.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) April 11, 2020
On Saturday, the former Pittsburgh Steeler signed a one-year contract with the Colts.
The undrafted Ohio native, who is entering his sixth NFL season, played just three games in 2019 due to a knee injury.
However, Nix will be well-rested and ready to contribute to a Colts team that has improved this offseason.
The 28-year-old won the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman Player of the Year awards at Kent State in 2010.
Although the undrafted Nix made an appearance on Hard Knocks with the Falcons in 2014, he did not make the team.
He was released by the Falcons and made an attempt to play in the Arena Football League.
His AFL tenure did not last long, but fortunately for Nix, the Steelers scooped him up in early 2015.
Pittsburgh originally signed Nix as a linebacker, but due to a logjam at the linebacker position, Nix switched back to fullback.
He also knew he had to be more than just a fullback to be a valuable asset in the NFL, so he made an early impact on special teams.
With the Steelers, Nix was important for the team’s rushing, receiving, and special teams, and he can do the same with the Colts.
How Nix will Improve the Colts Running Game
Philip Rivers will now be even more excited to hand off to running back Marlon Mack with Nix blocking:
Roosevelt Nix leading Marlon Mack on an ISO in the 1-hole between Quentin Nelson and Ryan Kelly? Yes, please. https://t.co/mg2B8O8Lrg
— Alex Robbins (@awrobbins) April 11, 2020
In short yard situations, Nix will be an important asset for the Colts.
He will attempt to boost the team’s sixth-best 4th-and-1 conversation rate from 2019.
The Colts need to improve their 3rd-and-1 conversion rate in 2020 to be a contender.
Indianapolis was 12th overall in 3rd-and-1 conversion rate last season, while Nix had the Steelers in the top 10 from 2016 to 2018.
Nix also has one career touchdown on four rushes and can be a receiving threat as well.
How Nix will Improve the Colts Passing Game
His receiving career includes 17 targets, 12 of which were caught for 69 yards, four first downs, and a touchdown.
On 10 pass attempts from Ben Roethlisberger, Nix brought in six receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Landry Jones threw four passes to Nix, and the fullback caught all four for 20 yards and a first down.
Rivers will be able to find Nix as a check-down option when passing plays break down.
How Nix will Improve the Colts Special Teams Unit
The Colts had a strong special teams unit in terms of net punting yards, but they did allow among the most non-offensive touchdowns in the league in 2019.
Nix will be able to help with special teams not only with tackling but also with forcing fumbles.
He was such an important part of the Steelers that he was utilized on 16 percent of offensive snaps and 69 percent of special teams snaps in 2018.
During his five years playing with the Steelers, he played a total of 575 offensive snaps and 1,078 special teams snaps.
He had 24 solo tackles and assisted on 10 tackles over the course of his four years playing special teams, 2015 to 2018.
With Nix as a prominent part of the special teams unit, the Colts can be one step closer to being successful in all three phases of the game.
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