49ers: To Carlos Hyde or not to Carlos Hyde, what was the question?

Niner Noise takes a close look at San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde and his potential future with the team beyond 2017. Speculations have been all over the place for the last 10 months and nobody is any wiser.

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde has developed into a complete conundrum this season.

Many speculated Hyde would be traded last offseason, while others thought that it might happen at the NFL trade deadline. Most were concerned with his ability to stay healthy and the rest were convinced that he didn’t fit head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system.

The truth is Hyde is a very good back and is flexible to schemes. The core of him that makes him better than others is his cutback ability, his backfield bounce and then the power kicks in.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

The setback to this is that Shanahan’s offense isn’t strong in counter runs. Shanahan’s run scheme is about patience, and then speed through the hole to the next level.

I talked a lot about this entire scenario before the season extensively, and if you like, it is here for you to check out. Basically it is a testament to what has happened this year. Hyde can run the outside-zone run scheme, but he also brings power, where most who are faster and more full of twitch do not. He is a good receiver, as power and hands do not usually accompany each other.

Undrafted rookie Matt Breida showed flashes of what Shanahan ideally likes out of a back in his offense, but Hyde had the power at times to get over the hump.

They complimented each other very well down the stretch.

On top of all of this, the Niners have fourth-round pick Joe Williams, who appears to be ready to come back next year.

If anyone has not had the opportunity to enjoy some of his college tape, then here ya go:

Williams and Breida are the seeds of what could become a very explosive backfield behind a descent offensive line. Hyde is an X-factor that can do a little of everything but can bring the power when you need it.

When linebacker NaVorro Bowman left, it followed an incident during a game that both Bowman and Hyde were sidelined for a series or two, and both were disgruntled afterwards. Bowman eventually left, Hyde eventually bought in.

He is excited about this team and very much wants to be a part of it. Whether or not he is able to accept a reduced role, as the new recruits split time with him and make this offense more dynamic, is yet to be seen.

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Hyde is a free agent, and there are teams that would love to have him. The Seattle Seahawks would fit his running style perfectly, and they would love the insight to Shanahan’s offense. Cleveland is home for Hyde and close to his family. The Browns have the cap room and a lot to improve on in the draft other than running backs. Hyde could cash in somewhere and do OK.

I think that what is currently happening to the 49ers is slightley infectious, they look good after the last two months. They have a draw to free agents, a head coach that is consistantly successful, a new GM that loves personalities and effort, an excited fan base in a huge market and a newly acquired franchise quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo. The team is young and dangerous, and Hyde might forgo money and carries for being part of something that he loves.

We will see.

The brass tax of the matter is that the 49ers have a lot of room to move this offseason and they will. Whether Carlos Hyde is part of their plans will come down to the same thing that made it necessary for NaVorro Bowman to leave.

Next: 49ers' best option for Jimmy Garoppolo's 2018 contract

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