Clyde Edwards-Helaire wasn't expected by many to be the first running back taken during the 2020 NFL Draft. Prospects like Georgia's D'Andre Swift and Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor were generally viewed as better running backs. However, with the Kansas City Chiefs on the clock with the first round's final pick, Edwards-Helaire was the one chosen.
This is not to say that the former LSU star isn't a great prospect. Last season, the 5-foot-8, 209-pound RB ran for over 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns while catching 55 balls for an additional 453 to help lead the Tigers to a national championship.
However, while it may have been a bit of a shock to see Edwards-Helaire go in the first round, it wasn't a surprise for Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes who lobbied for his team to make the selection.
“I think the first thing that stood out from Clyde is when the competition and the games got bigger, it seemed like he played better,” Patrick Mahomes said, per Chiefs Wire. “I always like guys that can rise to the competition, and whenever you’re on the biggest stage, you play your best football, and you rise up and compete with your team. So, that was the first thing that stood out to me as I watched the College Football Playoff and at the end of the college football season. The way he’s able to catch the ball out of the backfield but still be able to run rough between the tackles.”
Clyde Edwards-Helaire has certainly shown a strong pension as a pass-catching back, and with the Chiefs' needs at the time and with Mahomes at the helm, the pick makes perfect sense.
“You can tell he’s a high-character guy,” the Chiefs star continued. “He loves football. For me, he (General Manager Brett Veach) asked me, and obviously, I wanted to add to the offense, obviously to help me out and to help our team out. So, Clyde was the first name that came to mind and I know we have a great running back room already, so I think just bringing him in, I know he’ll fit right in and he’ll compete. And we’ll be able to bring the best out of each other, ever single position group, and go out there and play our best football hopefully this next season.”
Edwards-Helaire will add an extra dimension to a Kansas City team that will head into the 2020 season looking to defend their Super Bowl title from last season.
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