Carlos Hyde produced a career record of 1,070 yards in the Houston Texans attack in 2019.
Even if the ex-San Francisco 49ers 2014 in the second round did not return to Houston, production showed what any running back could do in Houston’s attack.
This line of thinking is what coach and general manager Bill O’Brien used to bet on building the 2020 list. Instead of using the club’s second or third round selections to get a younger running back, O’Brien switched the three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins with Arizona Cardinals and picked up ex-running back All-Pro 2016 David Johnson.
If Hyde managed to hit 1,000 yards in this attack, what could Johnson do?
To date, 479 yards and four touchdowns in 121 have played 10 games – just half of what Hyde was able to do in Houston.
To compete for Houston’s four wins, the Texans had to hire quarterback Deshaun Watson and ask him to play at an elite level. He did not have a running back to reinforce him as he did the year before. If Watson couldn’t keep up, the Texans would be fried.
The New Orleans Saints proved how vital it is to have a running back that can relieve the defender. Drew Brees threw two interceptions and no touchdown in the Saints’ 52-33 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day. However, Alvin Kamara protected the team by scoring six touchdowns, drawing an NFL record.
Instead of getting rid of one of the best recipients of the game because the organization did not want to distract from a contract, the Texans could have kept Hopkins and summoned AJ Dillon, Zack Moss or La’Michal Perine. Maybe they are in a position to negotiate and jump over the Baltimore Ravens and catch JK Dobbins. Instead, Houston ages as a running back and asks the franchise defender to do even more than necessary in 2019.
Texans don’t have a racing game that can take the pressure off Watson anyway. The new general manager and new coach must find a way to do this if Houston wants to return to future playoff races.