Clyde Edwards-Helaire garnered plenty of hype coming into the NFL, but he hasn’t quite lived up to the billing during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. Now a free agent this offseason, where might the running back go next in looking to make the next step in his career?
Clyde Edwards-Helaire Free Agency Landing Spots
Edwards-Helaire entered the 2020 NFL Draft as one of the top running back prospects after wrapping up his collegiate career with a strong junior year at LSU, one in which he ran for 1,415 yards and 16 touchdowns alongside 453 receiving yards and another score.
Those abilities as both a runner and pass catcher made him an attractive prospect, and the Chiefs made Edwards-Helaire a first-round pick by using the 32nd overall pick on him.
Edwards-Helaire’s career began with a strong rookie season where he ran for 803 yards and four touchdowns alongside catching 36 passes for 297 yards and one more score in 13 appearances (all starts).
It’s been largely downhill since then, however. CEH’s role and yardage totals have decreased in each of the last three seasons, with 10 games played apiece in 2021 and 2022, followed by 15 in 2023, including just three starts.
Still, Edwards-Helaire’s skill set could remain attractive to other NFL teams that hope to get the most out of him with a new situation and increased role.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders look poised to be in the market for help at running back after Josh Jacobs caused a bit of a stir in the NFL world by signing with the Green Bay Packers in free agency.
Las Vegas still has Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah to hold it down in the backfield, but adding CEH to the mix as a low-cost player with potential upside could make sense for both sides.
It’s unclear how confident the Raiders are to go forward with White and Abdullah as the two main RB options, but this could be a sensible pairing for both sides.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay hasn’t received much production from the RB position in recent years, particularly last year, as Baker Mayfield shouldered much of the load offensively alongside Rachaad White.
Bringing in Edwards-Helaire on a low-cost deal could make sense to bolster the Buccaneers’ backfield with a player who can contribute as both a runner and pass catcher in a similar manner to White, taking some pressure off the latter.
There are plenty of options Tampa Bay could turn to as a secondary player in its backfield, but a pact with Edwards-Helaire might make sense for both sides.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys could use some experienced help at running back after seeing Tony Pollard sign with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, and Edwards-Helaire is one likely low-cost option they could look to take a flyer on.
Dallas might also elect to address RB in the draft despite taking Deuce Vaughn last year. But adding someone with a more proven NFL skill set seems like a sensible idea.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Free Agents by Position
A low-cost veteran with upside like CEH could check several boxes as the Cowboys aim to remain contenders in 2024 despite not having much space to work with under the salary cap.
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