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Fantasy football: Target running back Carlos Hyde in all 2018 drafts

By Beau Guiod

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the warm up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the warm up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde is the type of mid- to late-round sleeper that could pay huge dividends for your fantasy football team.

The most common fantasy football knock on Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde is his lack of durability. Hyde did endure several injuries early in his career that limited his game action and statistics. But he appeared in all 16 regular-season games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2017.

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    • He also reached career highs in touchdowns and receptions playing behind a sub-par offensive line and without many legitimate offensive weapons around him.

    The Browns let running back Isaiah Crowell walk in free agency. They are now paying Hyde $15 million over the next three years to be their starting running back.

    Sure, the Browns still have Duke Johnson, who will take some receptions away from Hyde. And they also drafted Nick Chubb from the University of Georgia to compete for early down carries. But Browns general manager John Dorsey has already expressed a positive endorsement for Hyde.

    “With Carlos, I have always liked what he does,” Dorsey said, via the team’s website. “I think he is built to play the Cleveland Browns’ style of running game.”

    Hyde will be playing for a better offense this season with the additions of quarterback Tyrod Taylor and wide receiver Jarvis Landry to go with fellow wideout Josh Gordon, assuming he stays out of trouble. He will also be running behind a more solid offensive line even with the unexpected retirement of offensive tackle Joe Thomas.

    Last year, Crowell had 206 carries for 853 yards and two rushing touchdowns to go with 28 receptions for 182 yards. Hyde, meanwhile, took 240 carries for 938 yards and eight touchdowns to go with his 59 receptions for 350 yards.

    Hyde is a better running back than Crowell and should see his numbers increase this season. He also has the added motivation of going back home to Ohio, where he was born and where he played his college football at Ohio State.

    Hyde is currently ranked between 33rd and 49th among all running backs in many fantasy football assessments. ESPN has him ranked the No. 58 overall tailback entering 2018. He is coming off the board between 85 and 129 in most mock drafts. Kenyan Drake, Alex Collins, Chris Thompson, Tevin Coleman and Marlon Mack are all being drafted earlier than Hyde along with rookie running backs Rashaad Penny, Derrius Guice, Royce Freeman and Ronald Jones.

    Hyde finished last season as a top 10 running back in points per reception leagues. Drafting him in 2018 will prove to be one of the steals of the fantasy football draft season!

    Next: Fantasy football: Early stock watch for 49ers roster in 2018

    Projections: 220 carries, 1200 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 35 receptions, 300 receiving yards.