San Francisco 49ers: 10 Bold Predictions for the 2016 Season
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Running Back Carlos Hyde Wins the 2016 Rushing Title
One shouldn’t simply think the 49ers will suddenly turn into an all-out passing team now that Chip Kelly is the head coach.
As noted earlier, San Francisco still has plenty of questions in the receiving game and no clear-cut starter in place under center. So, if that option isn’t a strength, moving the ball on the ground should be.
Fortunately, the 49ers do have a bona fide playmaker in place on offense to make this happen: running back Carlos Hyde.
Hyde’s 2015 campaign may have been cut short by injury. But his 168-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 1 last year should be an indication of what the talented back is capable of doing at the NFL level.
And he should benefit from Kelly’s offensive and blocking schemes, as detailed in great manner by Niner Noise staff writer Rich Madrid.
“I already know what to expect with this offense, the up-tempo, no-huddle offense,” Hyde said, via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. “I’m already kind of familiar with it and I’m excited to be in it once again. I can’t wait.”
Hyde, who has slimmed down to take weight off his foot, could easily be a star for this season. And the 49ers’ efforts to reinforce the offensive line with effective run blockers only adds to that notion.
So how does Hyde emerge as the NFL’s leading rusher in 2016?
Well, we can already state the league’s trend towards pass-happy offenses. Brusing, 100-yard-per-game runners are a thing of the past in most cases. So the competition may not be as stiff as one might think.
He’ll have to contend with numbers put up from guys like Tennessee Titans back Demarco Murray (although Tennesse’s O-line isn’t particularly great) and Los Angeles Rams runner Todd Gurley. The Dallas Cowboys’ selection of Ezekiel Elliott also makes things interesting.
But let’s stay bold and state Hyde outshines the rest of them.
Next: DeForest Buckner Wins Defensive Rookie of the Year