Raiders: 3 backup running backs to target in free agency
By Justin Fried
2. Carlos Hyde
If the Raiders feel that Gore is too old or hasn’t produced enough lately, then well-traveled running back Carlos Hyde could be another excellent option.
Hyde rushed for over 1,000 yards starting for the Houston Texans last season after splitting time with the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars the year prior. And in doing so, he proved that he’s still a capable running back.
The 29-year-old rushed for more yards in 2019 than any season in his career and averaged a healthy 4.4 yards per carry. Hyde was quietly very effective last season, but don’t expect his market to skyrocket as a result.
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The former San Francisco 49ers back will be 30-years-old in September and there isn’t much of a market for average running backs at that age. Spotrac estimates his market value as right around $3 million per season which is certainly affordable.
He’d be slightly more expensive than Gore, but Hyde would give the Raiders one of the best second options in the league and a legitimate starting-caliber player if Jacobs were to go down with an injury.
In a top-heavy crop of free-agent running backs, Hyde is being overlooked and the Raiders could look to benefit from that.