2014 NFL mock draft: Carlos Hyde to New England Patriots at No. 62

Stevan Ridley has had issues staying out of the proverbial doghouse in New England thanks to fumbling issues. Shane Vereen has struggled to stay healthy, and LeGarrette Blount left as a free agent for greener pastures in Pittsburgh. The Patriots need to settle their offensive backfield, and Greg Knopping of Pats Pulpit is doing exactly that with his final mock draft pick of the year.

“Late in the second, after having selected a pass rush specialist in Dee Ford in the first round, the Patriots could go a variety of directions. While I was initially hoping that safety Deone Bucannon or one of the tight ends (Austin Seferian-Jenkins or Jace Amaro) would be on the board, Carlos Hyde is not a bad consolation prize. With no running backs under contract beyond 2014 and bruiser LeGarrette Blount having departed to the Steelers, the Patriots will need to address this position in this draft. Hyde is arguably the best runner in this draft class, and he is a big, physical type who could help replace Blount and complements Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen well. Bishop Sankey was a consideration here as well; however, I felt his skill set mimicked Vereen’s more than Hyde’s mimicked Ridley’s. I also believe the Patriots will retain Vereen past 2014, while Ridley will likely depart.”

After losing LeGarrette Blount to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, the Patriots have a need at running back. Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden just haven’t show enough to stop New England from drafting a running back early in the draft. For many, Hyde should be the first running back off the board. He is a strong, nimble runner who rarely gets stopped for negative yards. His pass protection isn’t the best, and that could be an issue for New England.