Fantasy Football Breakout Candidate: Carlos Hyde

RB Carlos Hyde| San Francisco 49ers | 3rd Year

2015 Stats: 115 car 470 yds 3 TDs | 11 rec 53 yds

The 2015 season had a promising start for Carlos Hyde, with 26 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. But things went downhill for a couple games after, and after a brief rebound (148 yards on 42 carries in Week 5 and Week 6 combined), Hyde was injured in Week 7 and missed the rest of the season with a left foot injury.

The arrival of Chip Kelly as San Francisco 49ers’ head coach creates some optimism for the team’s offense, and with questions at quarterback and a very unimpressive group of pass catchers a run-focused scheme is surely coming. Kelly’s offense is noted for its pace, and the Philadelphia Eagles finished 11th or better in the league in rushing attempts in all three seasons of his tenure as head coach.

Hyde is clearly atop the running back depth chart for the 49ers, health permitting of course. Offseason talk is always positive at this stage, but Kelly has said he sees Hyde as a three-down back and he reportedly dropped some weight during the offseason.

Based purely on volume, it would not be surprising to see Hyde finish 2016 as a top-10 fantasy running back. His value may take a hit in PPR leagues until we see how much he’ll be involved in the passing game, but there’s a high level of breakout potential for Hyde as the centerpiece of an offense that lacks talent virtually everywhere else.

2016 Projection

275 carries, 1,100 yards, 9 TDs; 25 receptions for 175 yards

Potential Breakout Percentage

80%

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