Running back Carlos Hyde is entering into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract with the 49ers. The second-round pick in 2014 by former general manager Trent Baalke will need to prove his worth to the new regime that dramatically changed the backfield this offseason.
New coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch added fourth-round pick Joe Williams, traded for Broncos Kapri Bibbs and signed veteran free agent Tim Hightower and undrafted free agent Matt Breida. Gone are Shaun Draughn, DuJuan Harris and Mike Davis, who struggled to offer much production behind Hyde the last two seasons.
While Hyde is still the favorite to be Shanahan’s lead back, the odds might eventually stack against him when the others get more time in the system.
Meanwhile, an interesting stat from Pro Football Focus’ Jeff Ratcliffe illustrates how Hyde benefits from his physical running style, which could bode well for his future in the league.
San Francisco’s offensive line was the worst run-blocking unit in the NFL last season, per Football Outsiders. Hyde managed to produce more positive yards after contact than some of the league’s best running backs, which might indicate he’s due for a strong season should his blocking improve.
Former 49ers great Frank Gore, Cardinals star David Johnson, emerging Dolphins back Jay Ajayi and former Shanahan product Devonta Freeman all fell behind Hyde, who ranked 10th on Ratcliffe’s list. Hyde also ranked 10th and 11th in yards per game and per carry, respectively.
Despite the stat lines, Hyde’s overall production fell short of expectations since getting drafted. He’s dealt with various injuries, including a stress fracture in his foot that caused him to miss nine games in 2015. He finished last season with a career-high 988 yards rushing and nine touchdowns while missing three games.
“I feel like there’s more competition in the room now,” Hyde said recently. “Bobby (Turner) stresses it every day that he wants guys in the room competing. And, I mean, any one of those guys can go in and be the starter.”
One player Hyde might be referencing is Williams, the Utah alum whom Shanahan badly wanted in the NFL draft despite Lynch taking him off the board because he temporarily quit football last season.
After speaking with Williams personally before Day 2 of the draft, Lynch traded up 22 spots to get him. Williams’ selection would indicate he’s the biggest threat to Hyde’s starting role this year and beyond.
Learning the outside zone is a hurdle Hyde will have to overcome after spending his college career at Ohio State and last season under Chip Kelly in an inside zone, zone-read scheme. Shanahan’s offense may ask Hyde to run outside the tackles more than he ever has.
Hyde’s battle with Williams for the starting role will be an intriguing one. It could offer implications toward the new regime’s intentions as Hyde enters the last year of his rookie contract.
