In the wake of Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams opting out of the 2020 season due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire figured to see an increased role.

Those speculations were confirmed in abundance Friday, as he was the featured back during team practice, further boosting his fantasy prospects ahead of the upcoming year.

A first-team All-SEC selection last season, Edwards-Helaire was the rare running back to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft this past April. If Kansas City's future plans for him were not apparent with that decision, their choice to deploy him as the unquestioned No. 1 back during team drills should solidify his role within the offense, at least to begin the year.

Having compiled just shy of 1,900 yards from scrimmage (1,414 rushing, 453 receiving) as a junior at LSU last season, Edwards-Helaire averaged better than six yards every time that he touched the ball during his collegiate career. He recorded 16 rushing touchdowns in 15 games last year.

While much of the attention is paid to Chiefs signal-caller Patrick Mahomes and the team's explosive vertical passing game, Edwards-Helaire could add another element that the team has not previously had before—an elite running back.

Kansas City also has the group of DeAndre Washington, Darrel Williams, and Darwin Thompson compiled behind Edwards-Helaire on the depth chart. But come Week 1 against the Houston Texans on Sept. 10, all signs are pointing in the direction of Edwards-Helaire being the bell cow of the team's backfield.