Recently on Niners Live, we dropped: Why the 49ers should Re-sign Carlos Hyde; but Will They? And now we take it a step further: What Carlos Hyde would bring to the playoff table if re-signed in 2018.
Wait, what? Playoffs?! Don't talk about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?! I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game! (In the words of Jim Mora Sr., and no pun intended, of course). Yes, this article is about to come from a different perspective, indeed, and if you have been tuning into Niners Live you know how we move and do it... The Forty-Niners are expected to make the playoffs in 2018, so says NFL Network analyst and former scout Daniel Jeremiah (via NFL.com).
Oh, he's not the only one talking playoffs
Joe Staley: "I mean, 6-10 at the end of the season, but I don't think there's a team in the NFL that would want to see us right now in the playoffs."
Hold that thought and let's recap Hyde's 2017 season
Carlos Hyde in 2017 had his best all-around year as a pro, playing and starting all 16 games while accounting for 940 yards rushing on 240 attempts at 3.9 yards per rush and eight rushing touchdowns – all career highs outside of his per rush average. Hyde didn't stop there in the career-high category. He became a dual threat with 59 catches and 350 yards out the backfield.
Hyde had 1,290 yards from scrimmage while running behind a subpar to average at best interior line base on the eyeball test and Pro Football Focus run grades. Also, this unit below was flagged with eight holding penalties that contributed to nullifying big gains by Hyde.
Pro Football Focus Grades: Left guard Laken Tomlinson (run grade 76.2), center Daniel Kilgore (run grade 52.7) and right guard Brandon Fusco (run grade 74.4). Hyde finished 13th in rushing (behind Frank Gore who Niners Live said should be re-signed). Now imagine if this area of the offensive line was upgraded.
Could Hyde be a 1,500 to 1,800 yards from scrimmage running back? With having Jimmy Garoppolo as his quarterback for a full season? Yes, he could. Objectively speaking, of course.
But wait, there's more. Hyde scored the most touchdowns on the team, with eight (see above). Tight end Garrett Celek, aka "Celek Time," came in second on the team with four.
Hyde had 44 rushing first downs, which was first on the team (rushing wise) and 17 pass catching first downs giving him a combined total of 61 first downs converted (tops on the team). The runner-up was Marquise Goodwin with 49 first downs total (three coming from rushing, via ESPN.com).
What Carlos Hyde would bring to the playoff table if re-signed
Based on the expectations as aforementioned, and the Hype train of the Forty-Niners making the playoffs as Peter Schrager, Senior National Writer for FoxSports.com, has called out and led the charge. What do you pack heading into the playoffs come December and January? Or even in February if you were going to the Super Bowl ala Hyde's prediction. Your defense and running game, that's what.
What kind of running back and style of a runner is needed for sure in the playoffs?
- A runner that's big, powerful, and physical at the point of attack.
- A back that can break tackles, help control the time of possession, and help rest your defense.
- A back that can help slow down the opponent's pass rush by wearing them down based on his bruising running style.
- A back that can get the tough/short yards in the playoffs.
- A back that can be a threat in the passing game and be a leader on the field while inspiring his teammates with his natural and necessary toughness and bullying ways.
In fact, let's go back to the New York Giants game in which Hyde averaged 4.9 yards per rush after contact, with 84 of his 98 rushing yards coming after contact.
Hyde's performance against the Giants, which was the Forty-Niners first win of the season, earned him nomination honors for the FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week (via the team's website).
I'll leave on this closing note
Does the production match the description of the player? Who had six runs of 20+ yards? Carlos Hyde. How many did Matt Breida have? Just two. Who stood up for his quarterback and teammate, C. J. Beathard, and got ejected from the Arizona Cardinals game? Carlos Hyde. Are your eyes wide open?
Would John Lynch like to bring Hyde back given the right parameters and if it works out for both sides? Yes, he would (per Matt Maiocco). Ok, let me end here. I think this article just might need CPR because I just killed it...
Sequoia Sims: Founder of Niners Live, Content Creator and Senior Author. The home of the faithful fan and analyst from an objective/analytical lens, and different perspective, of course.