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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Early Predictions for 2016 Regular Season

By Trevor Irvine

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive MVP: Carlos Hyde

OK, it didn’t take rocket science to make this pick. The other candidates for this title was offensive tackle Joe Staley. Hyde is a powerful back who has great vision to find a hole in the blocking and exploit the crease.

We all saw what a healthy Hyde can do in the 2015 Week 1 win versus the Minnesota Vikings. He was well on his way to a 1000-plus yard rushing season (and was averaging a solid 4.1 yards per carry) until a foot injury sidelined him for good after Week 7.

Indeed, Hyde was a top-20 ranked rusher out of 69 qualified backs with a grade of plus-78.8 (from a zero to 100 scale), per Pro Football Focus. The 49ers rushing game took a huge hit when he was sidelined, as he was averaging 67 yards per game out of the team’s eventual 96.5 yards per game season average.

Provided that Hyde is fully recovered from his broken foot in time for the regular season, he will again be the force that re-ignites the Niners running game and helps the overall offense. The offense runs better (pardon the pun) with an effective and efficient rushing attack.

From 2011-2014 the 49ers running game averaged over 125 yards per game. Excluding 2014, the team finished with a winning record, and went to a Super Bowl. A healthy Hyde, combined with the depth at the position and better run blocking from the offensive line, will go a long way to getting back to that mark.

Hyde is a difference maker, and he should be the offensive MVP in 2016.

Next: Defensive Rookie MVP: DeForest Buckner