Ever since the departure of Frank Gore in 2015, Carlos Hyde has been the main focus of the San Francisco 49ers backfield. But with a complete regime change, that may not be the case anymore. There are challengers now for Hyde — here’s a prediction of how the depth chart will shake out.
At times during his short career, running back Carlos Hyde has shown glimpses of remarkable ability.
From the opening Monday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings in the 2015 season with his highlight-worthy spin move en route to a touchdown, to his absolute shredding of the stout New York Jets defense this past season in Week 14 with his 193-yard performance, there have been moments of utter awe inspired by Hyde.
But ultimately Hyde has yet to string together a complete, healthy season. And in a contract year, this season is of the utmost importance for the fourth-year back out of Ohio State University. Not only is the pressure on Hyde to produce his first 1,000-plus yard rushing season, he is aiming to play all 16 games for the first time — all while he has a new set of newcomers lurking behind vying for his starting position.
Those newcomers come in the form of rookies Joe Williams and Matt Breida and offseason acquisitions Tim Hightower and Kapri Bibbs. Out of those four, Williams and Hightower figure to be the main challengers to the starting position.
Here’s my prediction of how all five will end up being ordered.
Starter: Carlos Hyde
Even with the uncertainty surrounding Hyde heading into the 2017 season, he still remains the best back the team currently has on the roster. It’s been his starting position for the past two seasons and will remain so this upcoming season. He nearly rushed for a 1,000 yards last season in only 13 games played, and on a much worse team than the current rendition.
To echo the thoughts of sports writer Dylan DeSimone, Hyde hasn’t reached his full potential yet. As DeSimone notes, Hyde is one of the best in the league when it comes to being elusive. Factoring in this, as well as head coach Kyle Shanahan’s track record with running backs and a presumable jump in carries (assuming full health), this could be the season of Hyde.
No. 2: Joe Williams
I think initially this slot will be more of a rotation between Williams and Hightower. But as the season progresses, I see Williams taking overtaking the No. 2 spot to make it fully his own. Clearly, this is a guy that’s liked by the team. We know from Peter King’s reporting that Williams was off the 49ers draft board, and it was Shanahan who convinced Lynch to select the running back from Utah.
So far, the reviews have been positive. This, from Matt Barrows at the Sacramento Bee:
"On Williams, [running back coach Bobby] Turner said: He has the tools, the qualities of other players who have worked well in the system. He’s hungry, he has the physical tools, he has the foot speed, the quickness, and when it comes down to it, the mental toughness."
One analyst, The Ringer’s Michael Lombardi, even declared Williams as one of the best zone-runners in the draft. That ability is going to come in handy when he’s instilled into Shanahan’s offense.
No. 3: Tim Hightower
Signed in the offseason to a one-year, $1.1 million contract, Hightower is being brought in to compete for a share of the 49ers carries this upcoming season. I don’t see him ever claiming the starting position, whereas I can with Williams. That’s what separates the two in my mind.
It’ll be between him and Williams fighting for the backup rushes. As Andy Patton of Rotoballer writes, it’s a “new team, same role” situation for Hightower — who is coming off a two-season stint as the backup to New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram.
No. 4: Kapri Bibbs
Acquired from the Denver Broncos this past offseason in a draft-day trade, Bibbs is the fourth member of a crowded backfield. It’s difficult to project Bibbs as he’s not a draft selection by the regime, and he’s yet to truly play in his first two seasons — only played in 12 games, producing 129 rushing yards and a touchdown.
He looks set to be more of a developmental player, with his young age (24 years old) and low production, rather than a true contender for starting running back.
No. 5: Matt Breida
Another rookie who has made some waves in the 49ers offseason workouts, undrafted rookie Matt Breida is looking to defy the odds and not only make the team, but get playing time. Out of tiny Georgia Southern, the speedster has been able to cement himself as a potential lock for the final 53-man roster with his dazzling play during the spring (via Barrows):
"In the spring, at least, it seemed as if undrafted Matt Breida (see below) had more highlights than Williams … Breida’s speed was apparent during the spring. He was especially adept at catching short passes and turning up field quickly, which is a staple of Shanahan’s offense."
This is a player who could be the darkhorse of the bunch, the one to leapfrog the depth chart. But for now, this is the order I see being the final depth chart.
Next: San Francisco 49ers: Who is running back Joe Williams?
We don’t know who’s going to finish this season as the starter. But what can be guaranteed is that it’s going to be a battle to claim that spot. Whoever is named the starter, it will certainly have been earned.