Free agent running back Carlos Hyde is off the market. Reports indicate the fifth-year pro has agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.
The #Browns are expected to sign former #49ers RB Carlos Hyde, source said. He’s getting a three-year deal worth more than $15M, including $6M in year 1.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2018
Cleveland Browns to Sign Carlos Hyde
Hyde was one of the better names available in the running back market in free agency. The main concern with him for a while was his struggle with staying healthy. However, in 2017 he played the full 16 games for the first time in his career. In his first two, he missed 11 games. But he only missed three games in the last two years. If this pattern continues, he will remain a dependable option in the crowded market of running backs.
Hyde was one of the beneficiaries of the new San Francisco 49ers offense in 2017, even before Jimmy Garoppolo showed up. He did not quite crack the 1,000-yard threshold due to sharing some carries with Matt Breida. However, he still rushed for 940 yards and eight touchdowns. In addition, he had 350 receiving yards which was more than double his previous career high. He thus established himself in 2017 as a multi-threat back.
Hyde played high school football at Naples High in Florida. He later went on to play collegiately for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2010-2013. He was mostly a backup for his first two seasons. However, by his senior year, he was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and even a third-team All-American.
He was drafted by the 49ers with the No. 57 pick in the second round, and third overall among running backs, behind Bishop Sankey and Jeremy Hill. During his four years with the 49ers, he has rushed for 2,731 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has been the clear starting back the last two seasons after sharing carries and struggling a bit more with injuries early on in his career. He rushed for a career-high 988 yards in 2016 and undoubtedly would have had a 1,000-yard season if he had not missed three games. That elusive goal will likely be recognized very soon as long as he stays healthy.
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