Dynasty owners who nabbed 49ers rookie running back Carlos Hyde have to be feeling good. Not that anyone wants to benefit from injuries, but Hyde went from a prized dynasty league property to a hot redraft commodity in a matter of days.
First, Marcus Lattimore opened training camp on the PUP list. It's a major red flag after he was able to participate in minicamp last month. Lattimore remains inactive.
Then on Friday, No. 2 back Kendall Hunter tore his ACL. On Sunday, new No. 2 LaMichael James dislocated his elbow. He'll be out at least a month, putting his status for the opener in jeopardy.
With Anthony Dixon now in Buffalo, the only backs behind 31-year-old Frank Gore are Hyde and 2012 undrafted free agent Jewel Hampton. The 49ers genuinely like Hampton, but there's a huge talent gap between him and Hyde.
CBSSports.com's ADP shows Hyde is currently going in the 13th round. That's three rounds too low.
The 49ers drafted Hyde -- who averaged 7.3 yards per carry last year at Ohio State -- in the second round. They've been consistently impressed with him ever since, saying the violent 230-pound runner can excel as a receiver and as a pass protector too. GM Trent Baalke said Hyde already is "flashing" in camp.
Gore averaged 3.65 yards per carry over his last 10 games. He's not going to get 276 carries again, probably more like 200-220. And remember, Hunter, Dixon and James combined for 118 carries last year in San Fran's run-heavy attack. Hunter and Dixon won't be around this year, and James was out of favor even before his injury.
As things stand, Hyde is looking at eight carries and 10 touches per game. If Gore breaks down all bets are off and we are talking about a top-20 back.
Gore is currently going at the top of the fifth round. Hyde should be drafted no later than the 10th, and not just as a Gore handcuff.
