Instant Fantasy Analysis - RB Carlos Hyde, Niners

[The Football Guru 224]

Considered by many the best running back in the draft, Hyde's arrival makes it pretty clear that Frank Gore will likely not be in San Francisco past the end of this season and throws a considerable amount of cold water on the potential emergence of Marcus Lattimore as his long-term successor. Lattimore possesses more natural talent and is a better fit for the Niners' straight-ahead running game, but Hyde doesn't have the considerable injury history of the former South Carolina standout. At any rate, San Francisco should be set at the position for the next 3-5 years. The landing spot makes Hyde a late-round redraft pick and late first-round dynasty pick at best.

[TheUsualSuspect 207]

Ka Deem Carey is the best RB in the draft.

 

The Niners have to many RBs, weird pick.

[roroco 75]

Do the Niners draft a running back every single year? Do they know RBs are pretty easy to find?

[Voltaire 5,469]

SF RB depth may be illusionary for 2015.

 

Gore pushes the laws of nature each year but all that tread on his tires has to wind down on him at some point. Meanwhile, Hunter is in his last season and likely longs for the door and Lattimore is coming off a major injury (two years removed). LaMichael James is a bust. Still if there really is a 2015 problem, it could be resolved in 2015. Maybe they just like this kid a lot.

[Saint Elistan 106]

Do the Niners draft a running back every single year? Do they know RBs are pretty easy to find?

 

Seven out of the last eight drafts. And why shouldn't they? When was the last time the 49ers were lacking at this position as a result?

 

It's not a weird pick at all. The 49ers get it - you don't draft for your needs now. You draft for your needs two seasons from now.

 

And you always need fresh steeds for the stable.

[The Moz 71]

I like Tre Mason as the best back but - tis is the weakest RB crop in many years

[The Football Guru 224]

From a running skills perspective, I'd put Mason right up there with Sankey, Hyde and Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell (I'm not kidding) as the best in this draft. Unfortunately, Mason looks lost as a pass blocker and isn't much of a receiver yet either.

 

The experts pretty much agreed last year was a weak RB crop and look how that turned out. There are plenty of decent-to-good RBs in this draft, but there aren't a ton of ideal fits like last year, that will ultimately be the difference IMO.

[DrG 103]

Gores pass blocking and total skill set should keep him the starter but more of a timeshare. Hyde will start out as the likely short yard back.

Lattimore? Well see if he's ready. The 9ers have a full set of receivers now, but the real question for the offense is going to be how the o line comes together with goodwins departure and iupatis rehab. If the o line works this will be a multi dimensional offense finally. The potential is there but so is the risk of stagnation.

[DrG 103]

Re the o line 9ers need Davis to step up

[heavy-set 39]

i wrote off Gore a few years ago, until I see him on another team, I wont be relying on a SF rb not named Gore

[kutulu 1,702]

dude's a heartbeat away from starting all of a sudden

[vrabinec 19]

...unless Latimore beats him out. Latimore was a better back in college.

[Upper Class Trash 67]

Lattimore isn't beating out anyone. lol That dude cannot stay on the field. If it weren't for the injury to Hunter, and now James, I am not certain he would have made the squad. His days as an explosive RB are over. If they had ANY doubts about that, they would not have taken Hyde as they could have went with a Cornerback or another Guard, both of which were needed beyond this season, not to mention a pass rushing Linebacker. They didn't though. They took Hyde. If that was telling, I'm not sure what else you would need... Per KFFL, he wasn't even a lock to make the roster until the injuries hit them. http://football12.myfantasyleague.com/2014/view_news_article?L=23146&ID=911789KFFL

[vrabinec 19]

Yeah, that's the way KFFL talked about Sean Spence and the Steelers drafting Shazier. Well, Spence is 100% and looks great. It's always easy to dismiss a guy who isn't on the field. He CAN come back from the injury, it's not career threatening, and if he does, it's very possible for him to get back to 100% (See Frank Gore). If he's back and at 100%, he's not gonna be easy to beat out.

[JT 137]

Gore is ancient and showing signs of wear. He'll get plenty of run, but the decline is inevitable.

 

You don't use a pick on Hyde if you think Lattimore is anywhere close to being ready to contribute. It's pointless; RB are devalued and there were a ton left that could have been had later in the draft. You also don't use that pick if you're confident that Gore is a solid starter and Lattimore/Hunter can back him up.

 

Hunter is now injured and out for the season.

 

Hyde is a no-nonsense runner who goes north and south. He has some experience protecting for a mobile QB and the Niners said they were impressed by his ability in that facet of the game.

 

Said it in another thread. Hyde will be the starter in SF before the year ends and end up with at least a fair split of the carries. He has a great opportunity to be the most productive rookie RB in 2014.

[tanatastic 2,062]

Im def bumping Hyde up a few spots. To be fair, the yearly downgrade of Gore followed by his great production will probably be the case again this year. Another year of 1100 4.0 7-9, business as usual.

[JT 137]

And now James with a dislocated elbow, out for a month or so.

[DrG 103]

Until Hunter's injury and Lattimore's add to the injury list, I thought LaMichael was in danger of being cut. For those fftodayers who follow training camp news closely - some small nuggets:

 

Bruce Ellington has looked good. Don't know if he played any RB (scatback in college), but the 9ers like what they've seen. Until the injury bug, I had him to take LaMichael's job. As good as Brandon Lloyd looked in camp, Ellington might get that last WR roster spot.

 

CB Jimmie Ward looks very good and shows a nose for the ball and the quicks for the slot corner role. Reports are he is also doing his homework in the film room.

 

The 9ers just signed Kaepernick to a long-term deal. As long as Gore can pass block and run a little, he'll have a place on the team even if his role diminishes a little. I just wish the 9ers would run a few more screens for him.

[JT 137]

Until Hunter's injury and Lattimore's add to the injury list, I thought LaMichael was in danger of being cut.

 

Agreed. He's done nothing to indicate that they need him on the roster. Hunter's injury was a godsend for him.