What It Means:

Reports tell us that Hightower has looked like the best 49ers back early on in camp. After all, he played in Kyle Shanahan's running scheme in Washington. Carlos Hyde got second reps as the position battle is just heating up in San Francisco.

Our models project Hyde for 249 rushes, 1,004 yards and 7.3 touchdowns to Hightower's expected output of 52 rushes, 224 yards and 1.0 scores. Based on that, we have Hyde as the starter going into the season, but that could change.