San Francisco 49ers: 5 hot takes for the upcoming 2017 season

No. 4: Running Back Carlos Hyde Loses His Starting Job Early

As in the first quarter of the regular season. Maybe sooner.

NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco pointed out how rookie tailback Joe Williams could unseat the veteran, Carlos Hyde, very early in 2017:

"The fact [running backs coach Bobby] Turner and Shanahan campaigned for Williams speaks volumes about their plan for him. Turner and Shanahan wanted Williams. They see something in him. They know exactly how they want to use him. So, yes, Williams has a legitimate chance to immediately unseat Hyde as the team’s top running back. Hyde is entering the final year of his contract. His first three seasons have been marked by inconsistencies and injuries that have sidelined him for 14 games. The better player wins the job, and Williams has the distinct advantage of being the running back Turner and Shanahan hand-picked to fit their scheme."

OK, so what if Hyde looks as if he’s the better player? Those attributes on the previous slide count for something, right?

Sure they do. But Kyle Shanahan loves a two-headed tailback approach, much like he had with runners Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman with the Atlanta Falcons last year.

In fact, Niners Wire’s Jerod Brown argued Hyde may be the better complementary back, not the featured one, in Shanahan’s offense.

This would indicate Hyde is the “Coleman” of this offense, while Williams gets a role associated with Freeman a year ago.

Perhaps as early as Week 1.