NFL free agency 2020: Best running backs available

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (25) looks for running room in the third quarter of an AFC West game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 29, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 04: Houston Texans running back Carlos Hyde (23) celebrates a late second half touchdown reception from Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the AFC Wild Card football game between the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on January 4, 2020 in Houston, TX. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Carlos Hyde (Houston Texans)

He was arguably one of the unsung pieces of the Houston Texans’ 2019 AFC South championship team. Well-traveled running back Carlos Hyde was briefly a member of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. But the 29-year-old performer never played for that club and wound up being dealt to Bill O’Brien’s team this summer when Lamar Miller went down for the year in the preseason.

When it was all said and done, the second-round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers in 2014 wound up putting up career numbers with his latest club. Hyde amassed career bests for carries (245) and rushing yards (1,070) and ran for six scores. The 6’0”, 229-pound performer brought a physical presence out of the backfield and proved to be an ideal complement to Duke Johnson, who was also acquired by the Texans via trade in ’19. And those aforementioned 245 attempts made life a lot easier for quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was counted on a lot less when it came to the Houston running game and more on honing his passing skills.

During his first four seasons in the league with the Niners, Hyde saw his workload increase on a yearly basis. That changed a bit when he signed with the Browns as a free agent in 2018 and was then dealt to the Jacksonville Jaguars in October. This past season, he made an impact on a playoff-bound team and there should be a solid market for his services if he becomes available.

Next: No. 2

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