Clyde Edwards-Helaire: 2020 Dynasty Rookie Profile
Position: RB
School: LSU
Class: Junior
Date of Birth: April 11, 1999
Height: 5-7 Weight: 207lbs
Athletic Testing
40-Time: 4.60
Speed Score: 92.5 (35th-percentile)
Burst Score: 128.7 (89th-percentile)
Bench Press: 15 (11th-percentile)
Bio
With several Division I offers on the table, Clyde Edwards-Helaire committed to LSU as a four-star recruit from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was a reserve running back in 2017 totaling 77 scrimmage yards as a freshman. He made a name for himself on special teams, though, leading the team in return yardage. That success translated into a larger role in his sophomore season when he led the team in all-purpose yards.
As a junior, Edwards-Helaire received first-team All-SEC honors as a running back and second-team as a returner on the way to a National Championship Title. He held-off five-star recruit John Emery Jr. to start 14-of-15 games and rush for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns on 215 carries (6.6 YPC). His heavy involvement in the passing game resulted in a whopping 55 receptions for 453 yards and one touchdown. CEH maintained part-time return duties as well, totaling 214 yards on special teams.
See Where Clyde Edwards-Helaire Lands In Our 2020 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
The story off the field for Edwards-Helaire came in December 2018 when he and teammate Jared Small fell victim to an armed robbery. The armed robber was fatally shot in the incident. Neither player was charged and the district attorney called the shooting justified.
Edwards-Helaire disappointed with a run of 4.60 in the 40-yard-dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, but proved to be an explosive athlete with a 39.5-inch vertical jump and 123.0-inch broad jump, translating to a 128.7 (89th-percentile) Burst Score. He did not participate in the agility drills.
College Stats
Clyde Edwards-Helaire College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference.com
Positives
+89th-percentile Burst Score
+215 Carries, 1,414 (6.6) yards and 16 TDs in 2019
+55 receptions in 2019
+Runs good routes out of the backfield
+CEH is a versatile weapon in the passing game as a proven pass-catcher out of the backfield with the ability to split out wide and in the slot.
+40 career kickoff returns (21.9 average, 0 TDs)
+Three-down back upside
+Ball security
+36-percent of his carries went for first downs or touchdowns in 2019
+3.65 YAC per attempt
+5.5 (52nd-percentile) College YPC
+6.6 YPC in 2019
+10.2-percent (76th-percentile) 2019 Target Share
+BMI
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
➕55 receptions in 2019
➕3-down upside
➕3.65 YAC/att
➕6.6 YPC in 2019
➕10.2% (76th-%ile)Target Share
➕89th-%ile Burst Score➖Pass Protection
➖18.3% (27th-%ile) Dominator
➖35th-%ile Speed Score
➖1 yr of quality production
➖Low TD Share pic.twitter.com/LKxaI7Y6ki— Alex Johnson (@a_johnsonFF) March 1, 2020
Negatives
-Pass-protection needs developing to become a true three-down back
-Average in short-yardage situations
-18.3-percent (27th-percentile) Dominator
-Low final-season TD Share
-4.60 40-yard-dash, 35th-percentile Speed Score
-One season of quality production
Highlight Reel
Best Comparable Player (PlayerProfiler): Chase Edmonds
NFL Draft Projection: Day Two
Bottom Line:
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is one of the more polarizing running backs in the 2020 draft class. For every argument against him, there can be a strong case made for him, and vice versa. He is small in stature, but at 207-pounds, has the BMI to be a successful NFL back. His poor speed score is a concern but he possesses elite burst. Edwards-Helaire projects as a lead back that would be best paired with a running mate at the NFL level. His superior skill as a receiver gives him three-down potential but his struggles in pass protection will cap his upside early on. Once his coaching staff trusts him as a blocker, CEH will thrive as a versatile weapon in all phases of an offense. Select Edwards-Helaire between picks 5-8 in your dynasty rookie drafts.
Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, NFL.com
