Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
After four seasons with the 49ers, Carlos Hyde decided to join the Browns. He'll try and perform a lot better than Isaiah Crowell did a year ago, which shouldn't be too difficult. Hyde is a capable every-down back, but expect him to come out in passing situations in favor of Duke Johnson. There's also a possibility the Browns want to get rookie Nick Chubb involved.
The running back rotation shouldn't scare you too much off of Hyde, but it's certainly a reason why he's not listed among the elite backs in 2018. In a decent matchup against the Steelers, Hyde should be viewed as a solid RB2 play.
Fantasy Upside
Carlos Hyde finished with 1,288 yards last season in San Francisco and comes to Cleveland via free agency. He’s listed as the team’s starter and should get most of the work on rushing downs. He’s proven to be an effective scorer, finishing with eight and nine touchdowns in the last two years, respectively.
Fantasy Downside
Hyde isn’t in an ideal situation for fantasy purposes. His rushing stats will likely be split with talented second-round rookie Nick Chubb. His receiving stats will be hurt by the much-better pass-catcher Duke Johnson. We don’t think Hyde will necessarily be bad, but the opportunities may not be there this season like they were last year when he had nearly 300 touches.
2018 Bottom Line
It took a lot of touches last season for Hyde to really make an impact, and we just don’t see how that will be possible this season with such a loaded backfield. If Hyde is going to have fantasy value it will need to be as a goal-line back, which we haven’t seen too much of, but there’s certainly an opportunity for that role here. Otherwise, he’s not much more than an RB3 option in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.
Week 17 at Los Angeles Rams
Carlos Hyde got 21 carries last week, his second-highest total of the season, gaining 54 yards and scoring against Jacksonville. He also had 3 catches for 19 yards. He still hasn't been as much of a receiving option since the change in quarterbacks, but his promise of touches makes him an RB1 option this week.
Week 16 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Carlos Hyde was held in check last week, gaining just 25 yards on 16 carries against Tennessee. He did have 2 catches for 14 yards as Jimmy Garoppolo got him back into the passing game—at least a little. That could be big this week as the San Francisco receivers could have a tough time getting open. The Jaguars do give up some rushing yards but have allowed just 5 rushing TDs this season. Hyde is a low-end RB2 play this week.
Week 15 vs. Tennessee Titans
Carlos Hyde had 14 carries for 76 yards and a score last week, being helped along by the presence of a legitimate passing game. One downside, however, is that he failed to record a reception for the first time this season and now has just 3 catches for 12 yards in Jimmy Garoppolo's two starts. Tennessee's run defense has been solid but Hyde should produce as a borderline-RB1/RB2.
Week 14 at Houston Texans
Carlos Hyde had 17 carries for the second time in the past three games, matching his second-highest total of the season. But he produced just 57 rushing yards. He also had just 3 catches for 12 yards as Jimmy Garoppolo didn't use him as much as C.J. Beathard had. Houston has been stingy overall this season against running backs but allowed 175 yards to Tennessee's backs last week. Hyde should be a solid RB1 play this week.
Week 13 at Chicago Bears
Carlos Hyde got 16 carries for 47 yards and added 7 receptions for 21 yards. The yardage total wasn't exactly great, but you'll certainly take 21 touches. Given that the Bears aren't likely to blow the 49ers out, Hyde should get 20+ touches in this game. That should be enough work to keep him viable as an RB1 play this week against the Bears, who have been leaky against running backs as of late.
Week 12 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Carlos Hyde got some much-needed rest during the bye week and now gets to face a depleted Seattle defense he torched for 124 yards on just 15 carries back in Week 2. Seattle will be well aware of that, as well, and has been much better against the run of late after some early struggles. It will be tough sledding for Hyde but he'll get enough touches both running and in the passing game to be useful as a low-end RB1 or high-end RB2.
Week 10 vs. New York Giants
Hyde got just 12 carries for 41 yards on the ground last week but had 9 catches for 84 yards and is becoming more of a threat in the passing game each week. He hasn't had more than 14 carries in any of the past four games, but has 22 receptions in that period. His workload and a sub-par opponent make Hyde a nice start as an RB1 this week.
Week 9 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Carlos Hyde put up a dud last week, carrying the ball 12 times for 25 yards and catching 4 passes for 22 yards. The Cardinals' run defense has been better than average and Arizona doesn't figure to have a lot of respect for the 49ers' passing game. But Hyde's pass-catching role makes him a low-end RB1 this week.
