The Front Row

I am typically not one of those guys who thinks every Buckeye starter deserves a spot in the NFL. That said, after watching the 2012 highlight video and consuming a copious amount of NFL this year, I'm going to say that if he wants to go to the NFL, I do think he's ready.

The main thing behind my thinking is looking at this second wind of shotgun based running offenses.

Look at Alfred Morris in DC, the Niners changing their playbook with Kapernick, and the Panthers.

Other teams that are very heavy in the shotgun include the Chargers, Patriots,Broncos, Bills, Colts, Lions, and Packers.

With more teams running the read option or just looking to run more from that formation, Hyde's value as a specialist there including his physicality is a lot more attractive than it was not too long ago.

Although maybe not a round 1-3 guy, one of those teams could get a steal and double down on their ground game with aging backs or backs who are not producing in that system. Looking at the teams I mentioned, lot of room for a new guy to get carries.

Hyde really thrived this year when you go back and look at the footage and while i'd like to see him stay, I don't think the board's knee jerk reaction to him going early being a pipe dream is accurate to the value he has a good 1/3 of the league.