Ohio State Buckeyes running back Carlos Hyde speaks to the media in a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State Buckeyes product Carlos Hyde is arguably the best running back in the 2014 NFL Draft class, and I have him ranked first above Tre Mason and Arizona’s Ka’Deem Carey at #2 and 3 respectively. Hyde has drawn some lofty comparisons to feature backs in the pros, and the one that stood out the most to me was the comparison to Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, which is incredibly high praise indeed.
Hyde has all the traits to be a workhorse, feature back at the next level, and it will be interesting to see if the Cleveland Browns are able to draft him and form a talented RB tandem of Hyde and Ben Tate to turn what was a weakness coming into the offseason into a big strength coming out of the offseasons.
Anyway, a new comparison for Carlos Hyde has been named recently, as the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah decided to compare Hyde to San Diego Chargers feature back Ryan Mathews. A former first-round pick out of Fresno State, Mathews never fulfilled his high potential until going off last year, and he has finally asserted himself as a top back in this league.
The Mathews comparison is an intriguing one, since Hyde has underrated agility at the position. Zac Stacy, though, remains my favorite pro comparison for Hyde due to his blend of strength, explosiveness, and shakes.