San Francisco 49ers fans might be aware that as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday afternoon, the Jacksonville Jaguars — under general manager Trent Baalke — have signed running back Carlos Hyde to a 2-year/$6 million contract. This is Hyde's second stint with the team after being traded to the Duval County club in October of 2018. Hyde recorded 449 scrimmage yards last season, 356 of which came on the ground.

In a running back room featuring breakout undrafted rookie James Robinson, pass-catching speedster Chris Thompson, and former Wisconsin standout Dare Ogunbowale, it may be tough to see where Hyde fits in. But considering his relationship with Jaguars GM Trent Baalke–the same one who drafted Hyde to the 49ers–the move becomes clearer.

It appears Hyde has transitioned to the second stage of his career, realizing that while he is no longer going to be a starting option at tailback, he can still carve out a career as a presence in the RB room. Hyde is coming off of a fine year as a complementary piece in the Seattle Seahawks run game, posting the second-highest YPC of his career despite carrying the ball a career-low 81 times. Hyde will likely be the insurance for Robinson on the Jaguars, with Thompson taking the role of the change of pace back.

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In spite of Robinson's 1000 yard 2020 campaign, the Jaguars ranked a middling 18th in rushing. While Thompson and Ogunbowole are nice pieces, there is a clear need to establish a more formidable ground game in offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's offense. Hyde, Bevell's first skill position player addition, brings his career average of 4.1 YPC and a tenacious, hard-nosed running style.

The process of seeing Urban Meyer construct an NFL roster for the first time is utterly fascinating, since it gives all of us a window into Meyer's mind. It's as much a drama about Meyer himself as it is about the Jaguars.