Chiefs Rookie Review, Week 4: Wharton, Townsend shine vs. Patriots

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 10: Tommy Townsend #5 of the Kansas City Chiefs wears Stop Hate on the back of his helmet during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on September 10, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the team’s first round pick in 2020, continues to be the featured back for Andy Reid‘s offense. On Monday, he received 16 of 17 handoffs and hauled in the only three receptions by running backs in the game.

His overall snap count and work load was increased while second year running back Darwin Thompson did not receive a single snap. The rookie rusher was in on 41 plays for the team on Monday, or 73% of all offensive snaps.

Edwards-Helaire was relatively productive in his plays. He gained 27 yards on his three receptions and added 64 years on the ground at a rate of 4 yards/carry. Through four games, the former LSU Tiger has 304 yards rushing and 129 yards receiving. That’s on pace for 1,732 yards from scrimmage this season.

Despite that excellent pace, CEH has found the end zone just once, as his (and the team’s) effectiveness in the red zone has been lacking. However, while the juices have tempered some on Edwards-Helaire after his incredible first game against Houston, it would be difficult to spin the first quarter of his first season as anything but a tremendous success for the Chiefs’ offense.

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