Cleveland Browns: Is Carlos Hyde a top-20 running back?
The Browns are perhaps one of the most improved teams in the entire NFL, going into 2018. With new running back Carlos Hyde garnering mixed reviews, should he be considered a top-20 starting running back?
In an interesting piece that arrived Sunday afternoon, Dawg Pound Daily’s own Randy Gurzi ranked Carlos Hyde of the Cleveland Browns as the No. 17 starting running back in the NFL.
"“No team has made more changes to their roster than the Cleveland Browns…” “and it isn’t even including what happened with their running backs. Here they brought in Carlos Hyde to replace Isaiah Crowell and drafted Nick Chubb to back him up — and probably eventually take over.”"
At No. 17, Hyde is just about as middle of the pack as a player can get. Honestly, I think that perfectly describes his style of play. Hyde, like most of the Browns’ new foundation, is a solid pickup who will never lose the game for his team.
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With that, however, comes a bit of a darker side of his play. Although he will never lose the game for you, he will hardly ever bring you to the proverbial promised land all by himself. Hyde is good but not great, and his career has exemplified that thus far.
What’s more is that while Hyde will almost certainly begin the year as the starter, he will also almost certainly be replaced by the time it ends.
Nick Chubb is waiting in the wings, as he looks to fully recover from his gruesome college injuries. If he does, then he could turn into one of the league’s angriest, most effective runners.
The X Factor in all of this seems to be Duke Johnson, who is on a contract year in 2018. Carlos Hyde was rather impressive catching the ball last season, to the tune of 59 receptions for 350 yards.
Seeing as the receiving game is also Johnson’s main strength, it looks like Browns fans could have a fun little battle on their hands.
If Hyde can prove to be a more dangerous pass catcher than Johnson, it may be right for the Browns to let “The Duke” walk.
Overall, Hyde’s No. 17 ranking does exactly what it says on the packaging. Hyde isn’t great, but the Browns don’t need great at every position. Rather, Hyde is serviceable, and he can be pretty good at points. depending on the situation.
Next: Browns need to figure out Duke Johnson situation
The Browns are 1-31 over the past two years, and Hyde fits the mold of exactly what they want. Cleveland is building, in the present at least, a foundation that might not win every game by themselves, but they certainly won’t lose every game. Carlos Hyde reflects that mantra perfectly.