10 NFL rookies who could become instant stars in 2020

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #22 of the LSU Tigers spins out of a tackle from Derion Kendrick #1 of the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers topped the Clemson Tigers, 42-25. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

Clyde Edwards-Helaire – Kansas City Chiefs

There is arguably no better spot for an offensive rookie than the Kansas City Chiefs and Edwards-Helaire — another star of LSU’s National Championship team — will have the significant benefit of playing for Andy Reid and alongside the most talented quarterback in the NFL in Patrick Mahomes.

That would be grounds for optimism for even an average running back. Edwards-Helaire is anything but average.

A back who has drawn comparisons to Brian Westbrook, Edwards-Helaire possesses the ability to have the same impact for the Chiefs as Westbrook did for Reid’s Philadelphia Eagles teams.

His blend of thump and lower-body flexibility helped Edwards-Helaire run over defenders and make them miss in equal measure as he amassed 1,414 yards on the ground in his final season at LSU.

An extremely effective receiver out of the backfield, Edwards-Helaire averaged 8.2 yards per reception in 2019.

He can be a valuable safety net for Mahomes, with the strain the Chiefs put on defenses downfield likely to open things up for Edwards-Helaire underneath to gain substantial yardage after the catch.

Edwards-Helaire will have to split time with Super Bowl hero Damien Williams, yet he can look forward to significant playing time as a rookie and, in an offense as potent as that of the Chiefs, impressive production appears inevitable for this ascending talent.

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