Seemingly out-of-nowhere NFL trade news broke on Friday afternoon: The Cleveland Browns traded running back Carlos Hyde to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 5th-round pick.
Whoa. What does that mean for fantasy owners? Let’s break it down player by player:
Carlos Hyde
The veteran back has been a solid RB2 – five touchdowns have been helpful, and although he’s averaged 3.4 yards per carry, he’s gone over 80 yards twice this year.
Now, he gets to a team that loves to run the ball but which hasn’t had as much success with T.J. Yeldon starting. Clearly this is the Jags’ way of saying they still think they’re contenders and can run better with Hyde than with Yeldon.
Ultimately, this move keeps Hyde around where he is – an RB2 with upside in good matchups (that is, until Leonard Fournette comes back). The Jaguars’ line has had its share of troubles (the unit is rated 22nd overall per Pro Football Focus), and perhaps Yeldon plays more than you think since he’s caught 25 passes this year.
T.J. Yeldon
What a blow this is for owners who smartly picked up and held on to the back when Leonard Fournette went down, came back and sat again. He’s still worth holding on to, particularly in points-per-reception leagues, but he’s no longer a bona fide starter, and that might start this week or next week as Hyde gets acclimated.
Leonard Fournette
Status quo here, although if you weren’t alarmed about Fournette already, you should be doubly worried. The Jaguars are letting Fournette’s hamstring heal as long as it takes, and trading for a name like Hyde makes us all wonder if the timeline is longer than just a few weeks. Obviously, you’re hanging on to him and waiting.
Nick Chubb
HUGE news for Chubb owners (if he’s on your waiver wire, please stop reading immediately and pick him up). The second-round rookie out of Georgia has shown flashes of talent in extremely limited time and now will get a chance to break out as a potential bellcow back. Hyde averaged 19 carries a game for the Browns. Assuming he gets all of those and maybe a few looks in the passing game, there’s RB2 upside here.
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