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Houston Texans: 4 free agents who need to return in 2020

By Stephen Forsha

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 12: Carlos Hyde #23 of the Houston Texans is tackled by the defense of the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 12: Carlos Hyde #23 of the Houston Texans is tackled by the defense of the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 21: Carlos Hyde #23 of the Houston Texans runs for a first down during the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 21: Carlos Hyde #23 of the Houston Texans runs for a first down during the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

2. Carlos Hyde (Running Back)

One of the better moves for the Houston Texans this past season was trading for running back Carlos Hyde, because not only did he make plays in all 16 games, but because he’s the first Texans running back since 2016 to rush for over 100 yards.

Think about it … if Lamar Miller didn’t get injured for the entire season during a preseason game, Hyde most likely wouldn’t have been on the Texans’ roster, and possibly the Texans might not have had a 1,000-yard rusher, which has been rare for the franchise as of late.

Hyde is a true professional, though he’ll probably cost more than his 2019 contract of $1.8 million earned last season. If the Texans want to focus on pass rushers and improving the defense through the draft, maybe a two-year deal for Hyde this offseason would work as a duo running back situation with Duke Johnson once again.

Spotrac.com has Hyde with a market value of $3 million per year for a contract, so spending potentially $6 million for two seasons on a base salary to have a solid veteran running back who is 28 years old isn’t a terrible idea. Even a one-year, $3 million deal could work because the Texans would know what they have with Hyde and could continue to work on other parts of the roster that need repaired and improved.

The Texans running back finished the ’19 season with a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.2, with his final numbers being 1,070 yards on 245 carries with six rushing touchdowns.

Hyde averaged 4.4 yards per carry, and the safe option this offseason for the Texans at running back because he’s proven what he’s capable of achieving within the Texans offense, and Houston is a win-now team because there is a lot of pressure on Bill O’Brien to make the right choices.

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