Cleveland Browns: Can Carlos Hyde top the 1,000-yard mark on the ground?
By Randy Gurzi
No Cleveland Browns running back has gone for more than 1,000-yards in a season since 2010. Can Carlos Hyde end that streak in 2018?
It’s been a long time since the Cleveland Browns had someone hit the 1,000-yard mark. Back in 2010, Peyton Hillis rumbled for 1,177 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns. Since then, no Browns back has hit the four-digit mark.
Since that time, top pick Trent Richardson and the undrafted Isaiah Crowell each came close, but fell short. Now they have another hope to top the mark in Carlos Hyde.
The former second-round pick out of Ohio State comes to Cleveland after spending the past four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Much like the Browns, he too has yet to cross the famous running back milestone.
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In 2016, Hyde just missed the mark when he had 988 yards. In his final season with the Niners, he saw his numbers dip as he rushed for 938 yards with an average of just 3.9 yards per rush.
Cleveland signed Hyde to a deal worth $15 million over three seasons. That kind of contract makes it feel like they expect him to be the workhorse — which could very well mean he could snap their streak.
There is a question about whether or not Hyde can accomplish the feat however. That question isn’t in regards to his talent as he averages 4.2 yards per carry and will be behind a better offensive line with Cleveland than he had in San Francisco.
Also not part of the question is their offensive philosophy. Todd Haley will be calling the plays and while in Pittsburgh he had no issues getting the ball moving on the ground.
Since 2014 the only time a back under his tutelage didn’t hit 1,000-yards was in 2015 when Le’Veon Bell played just six games. Haley still showed his ability that season though as veteran DeAngeleo Williams finished with 907 yards in his absence.
Instead, the question is about who else is in the backfield. The Browns have two other players who were selected in the second-round, including Nick Chubb who was taken this past draft.
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Should they ease Chubb into their offense and use Johnson in more of a receiving role, Hyde could very well top the mark. It would be great not only for him, but the Browns as well. It’s a possibility for sure, and one to keep an eye on in 2018.