Philadelphia Eagles: 3 free agent RBs to consider following 2020 NFL Draft
By Ben Swanger
1. Carlos Hyde
Carlos Hyde is coming off his first career 1,000-yard rushing season in 2019, making it hard to believe he has yet to sign with a new team.
Throughout his career, Hyde has always seemed to be a good back, but he has never received national recognition for the feats he’s accomplished.
It might have something to do with the fact that Hyde has bounced from team to team, as he has played with four teams in six seasons.
But nonetheless, wherever Hyde has played, he has been a formidable force in the backfield when seeing how the running back recorded more than 1,110 yards from scrimmage in three of his six NFL seasons.
Philadelphia had several chances to nab Hyde in free agency or through a trade in the past, but the team obviously has never pulled the trigger.
In 2017, the team could have signed him in free agency, but went with what they had on the roster. During the following season, the Cleveland Browns dangled him during the season for a trade, but the Jacksonville Jaguars scooped him up.
And finally, the Eagles had another chance in 2019 to once again sign Hyde, but traded for Howard instead.
Hyde is your more prototypical bruiser at the running back position that has great between the tackle running ability. He stands 6-feet-tall, weighing nearly 230 pounds, and will be 30 when the season begins.
However, it’s not like the Eagles are looking for a long-term answer at running back if they were in fact interested in a veteran.
Hyde would bring the same experience and knowledge that Freeman would bring, as noted earlier. He has experience in the passing game, but the Houston Texans never really called on him to showcase that ability.
In every phase of the game, Hyde would be an ideal second runner behind Sanders. Hyde probably would be more expensive than Freeman and certainly more so than Clement.
But if the Eagles are in the business of surrounding Carson Wentz with the best possible weapons, Hyde should be a guy Philly considers bringing in.