Carlos Hyde achieved a maximum level in his career, with 1,070 meters rushed in the Texas Texans offensive in 2019.
Even though the former San Francisco 49ers 2014 second-round pick wasn’t going to return to Houston, the production showed what any runner could do in Houston’s offense.
This line of thinking is what coach and general manager Bill O’Brien used to bet on in building the 2020 roster. Instead of using the club’s second or third round selections to take a younger back, O’Brien has changed All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins three times to the Arizona Cardinals and took David Johnson, the former 2016 All-Pro runner.
If Hyde could get 1,000 yards in this offense, what could Johnson do?
So far, 479 yards and four touchdowns on 121 carry 10 games – barely half of what Hyde has managed to accomplish in Houston.
To look for Houston’s four wins, the Texans had to face quarterback Deshaun Watson and ask him to play at an elite level. He did not have a return that would strengthen him as he had done the previous year. If Watson hadn’t been able to keep up, the Texans would have toasted.
The New Orleans Saints have proven how vital it is to have a back-up that can get rid of them. Drew Brees threw two interceptions and not a single touchdown in the Saints’ 52-33 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day. However, Alvin Kamara had the back of the team, scoring six heavy touchdowns, setting an NFL record.
Instead of getting rid of one of the best receivers in the game, because the organization did not want to distract the contract, the Texans could have kept Hopkins and recruited AJ Dillon, Zack Moss or La’Michal Perine. Maybe they can make trades and get over the Baltimore Ravens and take on JK Dobbins. Instead, Houston is getting older in running and asking their franchise defender to do even more than he should in 2019.
Texans don’t have a running game that can take the pressure off Watson in any capacity. The new general manager and new coach must find a way to do this if Houston wants to return to future playoff races.