49ers training camp battle: The running back position

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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 12: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 12, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Carlos Hyde

Carlos Hyde enters his fourth year at the NFL level. The one-time heir apparent to Frank Gore, San Francisco’s all-time rushing leader, Hyde’s career has unfortunately been marked by inconsistency and injury.

It’s not all Hyde’s fault, necessarily. Just a year ago, the Niners offensive line ranked dead last in run blocking, per Football Outsiders. And it wasn’t much better the year before.

Carlos Hyde averaged -0.7 yards before contact, meaning he was hit behind the line on seemingly every play. pic.twitter.com/U3j5ikPVrj
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 14, 2016

This has forced Hyde to elude and force himself through more tackles than an average starting-tier tailback.

There’s enough buzz going around wondering whether or not Hyde will be a fit in Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone scheme. But, as Niner Noise’s Chris Wilson shows on this outside run, Hyde appears to have the tools to master this system:

Some tweaking may be required for Hyde to fully master Shanahan’s offense. But it isn’t as Hyde lacks the fit.

The only question, though, is what the Niners elect to do with Hyde at this point in his career. Hyde will turn 27 years old this September and also enters a contract year. Does San Francisco want to turn the page or hold onto one of its better assets?