Facing a major hole at running back, the Houston Texans addressed that need Saturday by trading for Carlos Hyde. Here’s what I think about the move!
The Houston Texans had several injuries during their third preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys earlier this month, but none proved to be more severe than starting running back Lamar Miller, who was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
The injury to Miller left the Texans with a major need at the running back position ever since, even with the addition of Duke Johnson earlier this month as well.
The Texans addressed the need at running back on Saturday by sending former third-round pick Martinas Rankin, an offensive lineman, to the Kansas City Chiefs for veteran running back Carlos Hyde, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Here is what Rapoport tweeted about the trade:
Source: The #Chiefs have traded RB Carlos Hyde to the #Texans for OT Martinas Rankins.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2019
There was a lot of optimism around the offensive lineman Rankin upon being drafted out of Mississippi State, and rightfully so, considering the fact that he was named First Team All-SEC in 2017, which is quite impressive. Rankin also won the Kent Hull award, which is given to the best collegiate offensive lineman in the state of Mississippi.
Rankin was drafted during the year in which the Texans didn’t have a first- or second-round pick, which made his selection all the more intriguing and important. He was the second player drafted by the Texans in the 2018 draft class, behind only safety Justin Reid.
Rankin was actually drafted with the pick the Texans got from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for former All-Pro tackle Duane Brown. Speaking of the Seahawks, the Texans made a trade with them on Saturday, sending Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle for a third-round pick, Barkevious Mingo and Jake Martin.
As for this trade and Rankin, he was never able to show why the Texans wanted him that early in the draft. He started just four games while on the roster. The Texans actually went 1-3 during the games in which Rankin started.
Hyde is a bruising power runner and would form a great duo with the elusive Johnson. Hyde is 28 years old and measures 6-0 and 236 pounds, allowing the Texans to utilize him in the red zone.
Also with Hyde, he has had over 900 yards rushing and six touchdowns in two of the last three years, and even had 59 catches in 2017, which isn’t something you often find in a power rusher.
This was a great move by the Texans, as there were reports that Rankin was going to be released anyway. Texans fans should be looking forward to the tandem of Johnson and Hyde this season.