Week 5 vs. Atlanta Falcons
In the low-scoring affair versus Carolina last week, Carlos Hyde led the Texans with 12 rushes for 58 yards. He also caught four passes but for only six yards. Hyde continues to be the featured back and should be in line for a solid outing against a Falcons run defense that allows 110 yards per game. He should be used as an RB2 start.
Week 4 vs. Carolina Panthers
In the win at Los Angeles last week, Carlos Hyde was held to just 19 yards on 10 carries. He was able to salvage the day with a three-yard score, his first with Houston. While it wasn’t the kind of productivity owners were hoping for, one good note is that Hyde is the clear No. 1 choice for the Texans, as Duke Johnson received only two rush attempts. The Panthers have been vulnerable against the run, so consider Hyde an RB2 play.
Week 3 at Los Angeles Chargers
Although he’s only been with the Texans for two games, Carlos Hyde has quickly become the team’s starting RB. Last week in the narrow win versus the Jags, he received 20 carries for 90 yards, compared to only six rushing attempts for Duke Johnson. The Chargers were able to bottle up the Detroit ground game last Sunday but had all kinds of trouble corralling Marlon Mack of the Colts in the opener. Hyde makes for a low RB2 start in Week 3.
Week 2 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
In his first game with the Texans last Monday in the heartbreaking loss to the Saints, Carlos Hyde got the start and ran well. On 10 carries he registered 83 yards, including some tough rushes in which he ran through would-be tacklers. Despite Duke Johnson collecting more touches, Hyde was used on the early downs while Johnson played more in passing situations. With another week to learn the offense Hyde should be in line for a good outing, especially versus a Jags defense that yielded almost 500 yards to Kansas City in their opener.
Week 1 at New Orleans Saints
Recently traded from the Chiefs to the Texans, Carlos Hyde will be with his third club in the past two seasons. While Duke Johnson will get the start and is expected to be the featured back for the opener, his career-high in carries in a season is just 104. As Hyde becomes more familiar with the Houston offense he’ll be a bigger part of the game plan, but it’s advised he remains on your bench, especially versus a solid run defense.
Fantasy Upside
Carlos Hyde made a name for himself on the 49ers in 2016 and 2017. In 2017 he finished with 1,288 scrimmage yards, eight touchdowns and 59 receptions. This made him the 11th-best running back in fantasy that year. He joins an explosive Chiefs offense this year and lines up behind Damien Williams, who doesn’t have a regular-season game with over 13 carries. And although the overall numbers weren’t great for Hyde in 2018, he did start the year with five touchdowns in his first four games.
Fantasy Downside
Hyde started with Cleveland in 2018 before being traded to the Jaguars. Hyde struggled to do much of anything with Jacksonville and finished 2018 with an average of 3.3 yards per carry between both franchises. He also caught just 10 passes in 14 games played, a major dropoff from the 59-reception season he had just a year before.
2019 Bottom Line
It’s hard to blame Hyde for not playing too well in Jacksonville. He got there mid-season and didn’t have a real defined role. He’s in a better spot this season in Kansas City and should be a solid handcuff behind Williams. He’s one injury away from potentially having RB1 value. Before being replaced by Nick Chubb in 2018, he was averaging nearly 70 yards per game with five touchdowns in six starts. He’s worth a handcuff selection or a later-round stash in fantasy drafts.
Week 17 at Houston Texans
Last week at Miami Carlos Hyde received eight carries for a team-high 47 yards. The Jacksonville ground game was able to amass over 120 yards which helped the team control the clock in the win. Due to a sore hamstring, Hyde missed the October game versus Houston and due to his lack of touches should not be a part of your starting lineup on Sunday.
Week 15 vs. Washington Redskins
After the Jaguars fell behind the Titans by multiple scores last Thursday, the ground game was mostly halted. Carlos Hyde did not see a rushing attempt and caught just one pass for negative-three yards. Jacksonville’s offense should be able to move the ball better on Sunday at home versus Washington, but Hyde should remain on your bench.
Week 14 at Tennessee Titans
Without the suspended Leonard Fournette last week versus Indy, Carlos Hyde led Jacksonville with 13 rushes for 36 yards, just a 2.8 yards-per-carry average. Fournette will return from his suspension on Thursday, so Hyde will go back to the backup role. He was not with the Jags in the Week 3 loss to Tennessee and should not be a part of your starting lineup in the rematch.
Week 13 vs. Indianapolis Colts
In the loss to the Bills last Sunday, Carlos Hyde carried the ball 10 times for 33 yards, with half of his attempts coming after Leonard Fournette was ejected. Fournette has been suspended this week, so Carlos Hyde and T.J. Yeldon will split time in the backfield. Versus the Colts in Week 10, Hyde was limited to just five yards on three carries, but Fournette amassed 109 yards and a couple of TDs that day. Hyde makes for an RB3/flex start in the rematch.
