The Houston Texans have gotten production out of their rushing new duo of Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson. Both in their first years in Houston, Hyde has run for 853 yards and four touchdowns on 4.6 yards per attempt. Johnson has acted as a complementary back, tallying 679 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns on 6.5 yards per touch.
Based on production alone, the Texans should be happy with their running back position.
However, Hyde is a free agent at the end of the season. Though a revelation for the Texans’ offense, signing the 29-year-old to a new deal could make the Bill O’Brien-led front office pause. Johnson is under contract, but he has yet to play a lead-back role in the NFL.
Queue the 2020 NFL Draft. Specifically, queue Jonathan Taylor and J.K. Dobbins.
On Saturday, Taylor and Dobbins will meet each other for the second time of the 2019 college football season, in a matchup between Taylor’s No. 8-ranked Wisconsin Badgers and Dobbins’ No. 1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. The game: the Big 10 Championship.
The Texans should have their eyes peeled for multiple reasons — each team boasts an array of prospects. However, they should key-in on both Taylor and Dobbins, as each is draft eligible. If Houston is looking for a running back, either of the two will suit their needs with their second-round pick; if, of course, they slip to the second.
Let’s take a gander at each.