Edwards-Helaire goes to Chiefs as only RB drafted in Round 1

The Kansas City Chiefs selected running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire out of LSU in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, No. 32 overall.

The defending Super Bowl champions entered the draft with no glaring needs and ultimately selected a potential running mate for Damien Williams, who's entering the final year of his contract.

Edwards-Helaire was the only running back taken in Round 1 of the 2020 draft and the fifth player selected from LSU. He was theScore's top-ranked RB.

Prospect Profile

School: LSU
Height: 5-7
Weight: 207 lbs

Positives

• Shifty runner with very quick feet and an ability to make defenders look silly with jukes in compressed spaces
• Compact with excellent contact balance - has a powerful lower body, core strength, and an ability to contort to avoid oncoming tacklers
• Good vision at the line of scrimmage - sets up defenders in the hole
• Plays with high effort and a bruiser mentality
• Good burst to get to the second level
• Very fluid lateral agility and changes direction effortlessly
• Lethal spin move to bounce off defenders
• Highest broken tackle rate among running backs in his class
• One of the most productive receivers out of the backfield in his class - soft hands and advanced routes led to 55 receptions in 2019
• Limited wear on his tires - only one full-season workload

Negatives

• Doesn't possess ideal breakaway speed
• Just one year of elite college production
• On the small side for his position

Bottom line

Similar to Joe Burrow, Edwards-Helaire enjoyed a breakout 2019 campaign and played a major role in LSU's championship run. Despite just one year of production, the All-SEC rusher is the gem of this year's running back class because he's already advanced at parts of the game most prospects take years to master. His receiving chops and ability to make defenders miss make him a perfect fit in today's NFL. The former Tiger may not be a home-run hitter, but he's explosive, extremely fluid, and his compact rushing style gives him an advantage in absorbing hits. Edwards-Helaire is very difficult to tackle and generates yards after contact on nearly every play. Don't let his physical limitations fool you.