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5 49ers Who Stand to Benefit the Most from the New Offensive Scheme

By Rich Madrid

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly smiles during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly smiles during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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RB CARLOS HYDE

Running back Carlos Hyde will be a prime X-factor in the 49ers' efforts against the Vikings on Monday night. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Running back Carlos Hyde will be a prime X-factor in the 49ers’ efforts against the Vikings on Monday night. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

If this were a one-man list, running back Carlos Hyde would the lone guy on it. He’s had an up and down two years and dealt with injuries along the way, but no other player on the 49ers’ roster fits what Chip Kelly is trying to do more than Hyde does.

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I’ve written extensively on Hyde here, but it’s worth repeating: If he stays healthy for an entire season, the 49ers will have a top 3 rushing attack guaranteed. Hyde is utilized best as a downhill, one-cut runner, where he can get his shoulders square, burst through the hole, and often, through defenders as well.

That skill set is best suited for a zone-blocking scheme, and that’s shown in Hyde’s production during his time in San Francisco thus far. The 49ers offensive line was giving up contact in the backfield nearly 29 percent of the time, yet Hyde averaged nearly three yards per carry after contact.

Per Ben Stockwell of Pro Football Focus:

Hyde is in his third year out of Ohio State where he ran in Urban Meyer’s zone-running scheme. The staple play of the Chip Kelly offense is the inside-zone run: a physical, downhill running scheme that utilizes zone blocking rather than gap blocking, and is also the foundational play in Urban Meyer’s offense at Ohio State.

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(GIF: NFL GamePass)

In his rookie year, Hyde primarily came in for zone runs and last season, he had his best game against Minnesota where he gashed them for two touchdowns in a zone scheme.

If Hyde can stay healthy and run behind a competent offensive line, then he should have a breakout year in 2016.

Next: Torrey Smith