Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the toast of the fantasy football world when the Kansas City Chiefs took him with the last pick of the first round in 2020, but he enters 2023 without a clear role. That said, his draft capital and the potency of this offense are keeping him on fantasy radars in the later rounds.
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Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s Fantasy Outlook
Edwards-Helaire has missed seven games in each of the past two seasons, and when he was on the field in 2022, he averaged just 8.8 touches per game. He did score once every 14.7 touches a year ago, a sign of growth and proof that this Kansas City offense can support numerous fantasy options.
Seventh-round rookie Isiah Pacheco emerged last season and enters 2023 as the projected lead back in this Chiefs attack. Jerick McKinnon came on strong down the stretch and profiles as more of a specialist (third-down back who is used primarily as a route runner), but that’s a role that has value in a pass-centric offense like Andy Reid’s.
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Outside of the inevitable Travis Kelce, the pass catcher room in KC these days is … unproven. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney are the three receivers who enter the season with the highest projected roles, but Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, and Justyn Ross are all on the radar.
At the end of the day, running backs on strong offenses are going to have fantasy potential, and given that this team averages nearly four red zone trips per game during the Patrick Mahomes era, this offense certainly checks that box.
Is Edwards-Helaire a Good Fantasy Pick?
Since October 2021, CEH has had one game with 15-plus carries. Uno. Is he worth a roster spot? Sure, if for no other reason than it’s just a 2022 seventh-rounder that is between the former LSU star and a consistent role on the ground on an elite offense.
Weigh in with your idea for a wager and what side you're on …
ISIAH PACHECO vs DAMEON PIERCE
(half-PPR, PPG) https://t.co/KtBYjJDlhm
— Kyle Soppe (@KyleSoppePFN) August 16, 2023
That said, the price of Pacheco is much more enticing for me, and I’m not sure CEH will work his way into consistent touches, barring an injury. If you’re going the “he could have a role if PLAYER X gets injured” route, I prefer Jerome Ford or Gus Edwards in this general range. Dismissing Edwards-Helaire outright isn’t wise, but he’d have to fall below his ADP for me to be interested.
- PFN Consensus Rank: 162nd overall
- Current ADP: 176th overall