Clyde Edwards-Helaire intensifies roster battles at Chiefs running back

The Kansas City Chiefs used its No. 32 overall first-round pick on running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire out of LSU; let’s take a look at how the running back corps looks after the move.

With the Chiefs drafting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire out of LSU, the team now has eight running backs on the roster. After the draft finishes up, look for that number to decrease.

During the 2019 season, the Chiefs primary rushers were Damien Williams and now-free agent LeSean McCoy, who both split carries for 498 and 465 rushing yards, respectively. With McCoy out of the picture, the Chiefs have several young running backs to judge. Mike Weber, Elijah McGuire, Marcus Marshall, Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson and DeAndre Washington will all be competing for just a couple roster spots.

Weber, who was signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad on January 8th, 2020, re-signed with the team following its victory over the San Francisco 49ers on February 5th. Weber hasn’t really been much of a weapon, spending virtually the entirety of his short career (thus far) on both the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad and the Chiefs’ practice squad.

McGuire, whose professional career is slightly more extensive, is in danger as well. The Louisiana-Lafayette product has seen quite a bit of action in stints with the New York Jets in 2017 and 2018, tallying a combined total of 591 yards on 180 carries over that span. Since then, he’s seen limited action and has spent most of his time on and off the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad, and most recently the Chiefs’ P.S. before re-signing with the team on February 5th.

Much like Weber’s situation, McGuire has seen little action and likely doesn’t have a place with the Chiefs. They aren’t alone, though, as Marshall and Darrel Williams are in danger of not making the cut, either.

Darrel Williams is a restricted free agent this year, so the only backs more likely to make the cut are Damien Williams and Thompson. Darrel suffered a hamstring injury and his 2019 season was subsequently cut short, further hurting his resume. Meanwhile, Thompson’s contract is roped in until at least 2021, so he’s one of the safer bets moving forward to remain in place.

DeAndre Washington is another option the Chiefs have to consider, and although he’s seen the most action out of any of the Chiefs’ recent signees, he’s also not a lock for the roster. He signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs on April 15th, so his spot isn’t safe by any stretch of the imagination.

Edwards-Helaire was drafted in the first round to make an immediate impact—that’s for certain. The Chiefs are likely only going to keep half of their current total. They’ve gone into past seasons under Reid with only three or four backs total (not including fullback Anthony Sherman), so the preseason competition for the Chiefs should be tough. Without a doubt, Damien Williams and Edwards-Helaire are most likely going to be the #1 and #2 running backs on the roster, but the rest of that list will be fighting for their professional lives.