Carlos Hyde will have to move on from Frank Gore's mentorship and carve out a bigger role in 2015, a year that figures to showcase a new-look 49ers team. Besides the changing of the guard in the 49ers backfield, Hyde has undergone another major change this offseason.
His body is different. Hyde slimmed down 15 pounds since his rookie year.
General manager Trent Baalke touted Hyde as one of the most noticeably different players in the team's offseason program.
Hyde is expected to take over as the team's primary ball-carrier, with Reggie Bush assuming the passing down role. Given Bush's presence and Hyde's 4.0 YPC during in his rookie season, Hyde is probably being overdrafted as he's been going at the beginning of the 3rd round of early PPR drafts. Expect 250 or so carries and a somewhat limited role in the passing game, though there is upside here if the new offense falls into place.
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