College: Ohio State

Ht: 6'0"

Wt: 242

Video, per You Tube

Positives

Size: When talking about Carlos Hyde, his size is one of his biggest features. The first thing people notice about the running-back, he’s bigger than the average back. At six-feet and around 235 pounds he’s in the larger mold of running backs, practically fullback size.

Run Blocking: Could be seen as a positive or a negative depending how you look at it. Hyde has the size to create holes in the running game but plays like a much smaller player and picks them off at the legs. He gets the job done by removing a defender from the play, but he’ll never lead the charge all the way downfield. When he does stay upright through his blocks he does a good job of turning defenders away from the play.

Negatives

Pass Blocking: Hyde has great size as a running-back but doesn’t use it correctly when blocking. He often relies on his size to block but with poor technique he just gets blown up. When chipping players to help a tackle he does well but one-on-one he’s a liability.

Speed: He’s surprisingly quick in his frame but he won’t have the speed to succeed in the NFL. He’ll be able to churn out runs but he’ll never break the big one. His speed will always be a draw back to his game, and without other elite measurable that’ll hurt his value.

System: Hyde will get more attention than he should due to the system he plays in. Almost every carry he gets is out of the read-option so teams are always worrying about Braxton Miller keeping it as well. The read-option keeps the defense honest to both sides of the line and helps create running lanes for Hyde. He’ll suffer in a more conventional offense because he’s a timid runner, doesn’t use his size to move the pile, and isn’t a downhill runner.

NFL Player Comparison

LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots: Both players are very big running backs, and neither are really power backs. They don’t run with a ton of power, or use their size to their advantage. They both are hesitant runners who lack a top gear and don’t run the way you’d want them to with their size. Both capable of success in the NFL, and both lack the ability to be a top back at the next level.

Draft Outlook

Hyde is sure to go in the top-10 running backs but I’d bet he’s going to be in those later backs to go. I currently have a late round grade on Hyde, sicth to be exact, I’m just not a fan of what he brings to the table at the next level. I could see him going anywhere from the fourth round to completely undrafted, anywhere in there wouldn’t surprise to me at all.

Best Fits

Hyde belongs on a team with a good offensive-line that can create easy to find running lanes. He isn’t the greatest at finding his own running lanes or cutting back runs so a straight forward running attack with a mauling offensive line is what he’ll need. These types of teams are hard to find these days, but the Houston Texans would make sense with Ben Tate leaving after this year and their more straight forward running style.