Chiefs rookie review: Draft class comes up big against Texans

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The star of the Chiefs’ show in their season opener was not their former MVP of a quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Instead it was their 2020 first round draft pick: running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Much like the rest of the draft class, the former LSU star was immediately called a home run pick by draft pundits and NFL commentators alike. They believed that his skill set fit like a glove with Reid’s offensive scheme. The experts described his vision, ability to move, and catch the ball out of the backfield would be an outstanding asset to an already potent offense.

On Thursday night, it appeared they got it mostly right. CEH was outstanding in the Chiefs offense, racking up 138 yards on just 25 carries (roughly 5.5 yards/carry) and a score. The Chiefs trusted him on every down and distance and even gave him multiple shots right at the goal line, despite backup Darrel Williams being more billed as the “between-the-tackles” hard-nosed rusher.

Where we got it wrong, at least in game one, was that Edwards-Helaire did not contribute at all in the passing game. In fact, he was targeted only twice, and the word targeted is a bit loose there because both times Mahomes essentially threw the ball away when facing pressure in the running back’s direction.

Edwards-Helaire should be the odds-on favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. And sure, that’s easy to say now, when no other offensive rookies have played a down on the season. But, ask us again on Tuesday morning, after all 32 teams have played their first game, and we’ll bet we feel the same way.