The Chiefs are getting a head start on free agency.
According to a new report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs are set to bring recently released Jaguars RB Carlos Hyde in for a free agent visit on Saturday. Hyde has been on three teams since entering the league in 2014. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, and he was eventually traded to the Browns, and then the Jaguars in 2018.
The Chiefs have made it clear they are looking for a complementary back. Damien Williams still looks to be the lead running back heading into the 2019 season, but adding a player like Hyde would certainly take some of the strain off of Williams.
Hyde finished the 2018 season with 172 carries for 571 yards a five rushing touchdowns. He only had 10 receptions in 2018, but in his previous two seasons with the 49ers he had a total of 86 receptions for 513 yards and three touchdowns. He definitely has a skill set that could complement what the Chiefs do in their offense, and perhaps Andy Reid and Deland McCullough could unlock some untapped potential in his game.
As a player recently cut by his team Hyde won’t count against the NFL’s compensatory pick formula if he signs with the Chiefs. That’s another big bonus for the team as they’re scheduled to have a lot of compensatory picks in 2020. That’s also the reason why he’s allowed to visit the Chiefs and negotiate before the free agency period officially begins.
Update:
Yahoo Sports’ Terez Paylor says that Hyde will likely join the Chiefs pending a physical.
