Ubiquitous Micah Hyde Wants to stay in Green Bay - but at what Price?

If anything is for certain, it's that Micah Hyde wants to be back in Green Bay.

The fourth, soon-to-be fifth year defensive back - or something like that - is one of many Packers players expecting a new contract in the coming months, but with Hyde, it would seem almost like a sure thing that he nets a new deal to stay with the team. At least through 2017.

As of right now, the Packers may have to haggle Hyde away from other awaiting teams.

ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that Hyde and his agent, Jack Bechta, had already met with Russ Ball, the Packers contract negotiator, at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Hyde was asked if there was a player in the league who reminded him of himself. His answer?

"Nobody," Hyde exclaimed bluntly. "Nobody in the league."

As bold of a statement as it is true, the Packers are gifted with Hyde in their secondary. His ability to shift around and mix-and-match between positions gives Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers and safeties coach Darren Perry a lot easier of a job. In 2016, Hyde's versatility came in handy en route to three interceptions including one momentum-changing interception off of Dak Prescott in the third quarter of January's NFC Divisional playoff. A perfect read and route-jump off of a screen pass from Hyde that showed he can do more than just be plugged into various positions and return punts. And Hyde's improvement makes perfect sense.

Since working as a pure cornerback during his rookie season, Hyde spent hours, days, weeks in the film room with cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. learning the position. It wasn't long after that 2013 season that Hyde was transitioned between both corner and safety.

Last season isn't the only beneficial evidence of Hyde's understated performance. In just seven starts in 2015, Hyde recorded another three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. In 2015, he also had a career-high 51 tackles. His six interceptions over the last two seasons is tied with cornerback Damarious Randall for second-most on the team in that span, both trailing behind Ha Ha Clinton-Dix's seven.

Hyde was the Packers nickel cornerback for a majority of the 2016 campaign, however, he also saw action in the dime package, in the slot and even covering the boundary receiver — an area where Hyde was once dubbed as "too small" and "too slow" for the outside. While nothing has necessarily disproved that, his "Swiss Army knife" capabilities in the Packers defense provides worth. 

Worthy enough to return to Green Bay?

Due to Hyde's flexibility, he doesn't have a market value. Unlike five other Packers free agents, who may not register market values due to not being heavily sought after. 

The Packers once signed Hyde to a four-year, $2.3 million dollar deal. It's safe to assume they may need to up the ante when it comes to Hyde this time around. If he's shown anything, it's that he is definitely worth the cost.

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (10)

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Handsback's picture

March 04, 2017 at 12:00 pm

Hyde has value as a plug and play guy. He's best with some coverage safety behind him verses he being the last resort. I read that and believe it's pretty accurate. Great close to LOS...not so much as a cover safety.

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slit's picture

March 04, 2017 at 12:03 pm

Anyone else see this guy becoming a safety after Burnett leaves? For now, a nice piece in slot coverage & special teams. Durable, smart, seems like a leader = 4 yrs, 14 mil

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dobber's picture

March 04, 2017 at 12:35 pm

Has more value to the Packers than anyone else. Not a true CB, not a true S. Still, he's a player that you look at when he plays a significant number of snaps and you say, "we can do better"...until he makes a key tackle or INT to redeem himself. Will get his best offer from TT and be in GB for another 3-4 years.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 04, 2017 at 01:55 pm

Even after he makes a key tackle or INT, I can easily say that we can do better, but perhaps we should devote undue resources to do so.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 04, 2017 at 01:53 pm

It drives me nuts when someone writes "X is definitely worth the cost" without stating what the cost is. Hyde is worth 4yrs/$14M; not more than 4yrs./$17M. Not more than 33% guaranteed.

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defense's picture

March 04, 2017 at 04:27 pm

If the Packers decide to bring in some veteran CB, which I think they should but don't expect TT to do so, there won't be room for him on the roster. Packers doesn't usually give up on draft picks on third year, specially first and second rounders, and he would be 4th or 5th in depth chart in that case, behind the possible veteran CB, Gunter, Randall and probably Rollins. At SS they have Brice already. Not worth the money for a player who won't be a starter.

If the Packers doesn't find any good veteran CB worth the price, then TT will probably keep him, even if it's at $5 million range.

Let him go is a hard choice because he's a great teammate, a great example for other corners, can return punts, and can play a lot of other positions. Even still, I rather have other free agent CB who can actually cover good WR than him. For every interception and big play he makes, he is burned a lot of times in crucial times. Does anyone here think he is more than average player? Whatever position that is? we can find average on draft. What this team needs is less average players and more playmakers.

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Spock's picture

March 05, 2017 at 08:32 am

Hyde has value as a "football player" (as TT would say). By all means resign him if the numbers are right. MM values people who "are available" week-in and week-out. Hyde has proven that over and over. There is value in a guy who can at least play other positions, even if not "great". His value as a punt returner is undervalued; he has arguably the best hands on the team for punt returner. Keep him if you can.

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Since'61's picture

March 05, 2017 at 08:43 am

Hyde is a solid reliable player who has made a number of big plays for the Packers over the last few seasons. He is not a great player but he usually manages to get the job done on defense plus he is a reliable punt returner. Given the current state of the Packers CBs they need his versatility and experience. TT is unlikely to spend what it will take to bring a FA shutdown CB to Green Bay so that may help Hyde in negotiating. Even if the Packers should sign a free agent CB I'd like to keep Hyde to step in during the inevitable annual injury plague. Thanks, Since '61

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Bearmeat's picture

March 05, 2017 at 12:41 pm

I'd like to have Hyde back, as a rotational or depth piece. He does not fit into the starting plans outside of perhaps being a nickel corner or a FS. If the price goes over 5 mil/yr, then let the other guys have him.

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lou's picture

March 05, 2017 at 01:24 pm

Hyde is basically a "Mike Prior" clone although younger, a solid contributor who can start on occasion and get you through the game, and an excellent punt returner. Even when Prior was not the featured punt returner when they had to have a fair catch to seal a game he was on the field. Unlike Hayward he is not an outstanding nickel corner and would expect a $5M annual salary. At $3M annually he would be a solid bargain for some time especially with the current status of the defensive backfield, in this mornings Journal/Sentinel an NFC Personnel Exec was quoted as saying, "the Packers should get rid of all their CB's, they have no speed and no legit starter".

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