Posted this in the Ascending Buys/Falling Knives thread, but probably more appropriate here...
My ascending buy is Carlos Hyde.
Here's a guy that is on the rise but can actually still be had for cheap because his role this season is as yet to be defined. However reading between the lines I can tell you that he'll have a significant role in the 49ers offense THIS SEASON.
1) They released LaMichael James - This may not seem like a big deal, but the release of James leaves Gore and Hyde as the only RBs on the roster. Whereas before when the niners backfield behind Gore seemed a quagmire of mediocrity, now there is only Hyde. I don't think this is coincidence, the coaches and front office know that they have their guy.
2) Hyde ran exclusively out of the shotgun/read option formation. Whereas Gore only ran out of shotgun 3 times out of 16 attempts. Again I don't think this is coincidence. Hyde has plenty of experience in the read/option from his OSU days whereas Gore has always seemed uncomfortable running from shotgun. This seems largely irrelevant until you factor in the fact that Kaepernick is most dangerous operating out of the read/option shotgun.
3) This is the last year of Gore's contract. Frank Gore is probably my favorite Niner of all time, but like all good things they come to an end. Local beatwriters are already crowning Hyde as the heir apparent, and if the media is thinking it, the coaches likely already know it. The front office may extend Gore beyond this season, but this is Hyde's show next year regardless. He will get the PT necessary to ensure that the "life after Gore" niners have a seasoned vet to handle RB duties by next September.
Last season Gore had 276 carries while the 3 headed monster of Hunter/James/Dixon combined for 118. Speculation before the season began from beatwriters were that Gore will likely get around 200 carries this season. Projecting for a total of 400 combined carries for niner RBs that leaves roughly 185-200 for Hyde which sounds about right to me. The coaching staff has talked about dialing back Gore's workload for years, but IMO they've just never had anyone on the roster capable. TDs will likely also favor Hyde since he appears the favorite to assume Dixon's role of TD vulture.
Gore has amazingly gone from "injury-prone" to one of the ironmen of the NFL. I believe he is currently the leader in active RBs in consecutive games played. Should that streak come to an end, you have an immediate RB1 in Hyde ready to take over. I see a 50/50 split and pure RBBC by midseason in SF provided both guys stay healthy. I can see Hyde having a mini coming out party at home this Sunday Night at home against a TERRIBLE bears run defense so buy while he's still quiet.