Kansas City Chiefs could be even better behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire
The Kansas City Chiefs are defending champs. Somehow, they might be even better this season.
After a whirlwind offseason that saw general manager Brett Veach extend quarterback Patrick Mahomes, defensive tackle Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce, the Chiefs appear poised to defend their title better than any team in recent memory.
Kansas City only lost four starters — two of which opted out in running back Damien Williams and guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Crucially, they didn’t lose anyone one who would be considered key cogs. And, with Williams sitting the season out, the opening has been provided for rookie first-round pick, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
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Drafted No. 32 overall, Edwards-Helaire comes to Kansas City with the notion of being a difference-maker in both the run and pass schemes. The Chiefs are the league’s most dynamic offense but lacked a consistent ground game in 2019. With the addition of Edwards-Helaire, the unit could be more well-rounded.
On Friday, head coach Andy Reid talked about the maturation process for the 20-year-old rookie in his complex offense. Per NFL.com:
“Clyde has been doing a lot of work with the first group, so that’s valuable work for him. Is everything perfect? No, not right now, but he’s working like crazy to get it there and he’s got a good attitude about it.”
At LSU, Edwards-Helaire helped the Tigers win the national championship. He rushed for 1,414 yards on 6.6 yards per carry while scoring 16 touchdowns last year. In the passing game, Edwards-Helaire caught 55 passes from Joe Burrow for 453 yards and another score.
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Much like his college days, Edwards-Helaire will be surrounded by stars. Kansas City is loaded at every skill position, with Mahomes and Kelce joined by receivers Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson. Combined with the genius of Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the Chiefs have all the ingredients for continued dominance.
Early on, it would make sense to see Edwards-Helaire limited in his blocking duties while still learning the ropes in that regard. Because of this, he’ll likely be spread out wide on third downs, using him to create mismatches on the outside against safeties and linebackers.
In less than a month, Kansas City will watch its Chiefs take on the Houston Texans to open the 2020 season at Arrowhead Stadium. Edwards-Helaire will be at the center of the offense, trying to take an already great team to another level.
