Through one game of the NFL season, we can already start to draw some conclusions from a fantasy football perspective. One, Deshaun Watson is still going to put up huge numbers despite the loss of DeAndre Hopkins. Two, Will Fuller V could have a ton of receptions. Three, whoever drafted Clyde Edwards-Helaire is probably the happiest person in your league right now.
The Chiefs selected Edwards-Helaire with the 32nd pick in the first round, and with Damien Williams out of the Chiefs lineup, the former LSU star was projected to have a big year. Edwards-Helaire was suddenly a top-7 consensus fantasy player, ahead of established stars like Derrick Henry, Davante Adams or Julio Jones.
For fantasy owners, Edwards-Helaire presented a massive risk. There is little doubt that he would be productive in the Chiefs’ offense, but could a 5-foot-7, 21-year-old rookie possibly carry your team as a mid-first round pick, especially without the benefit of a normal preseason to prepare?
We’ve only seen one game so far, but the fantasy players who put their faith in Edwards-Helaire were rewarded on Thursday. Edwards-Helaire torched the Texans defense, finishing with 25 rushes for 138 yards and one spectacular touchdown run. Even without getting involved in the passing game – something Edwards-Helaire is very capable of – he had a monster Week 1.
CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE WITH NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFEpic.twitter.com/TL25fYDaj1
— PFF (@PFF) September 11, 2020
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the 4th player in the last 30 seasons with at least 130 rush yards and a TD in his NFL debut.
Each of the previous 3 either went on to win Rookie of the Year or a rushing title that year. pic.twitter.com/VJbCwSJIVE
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 11, 2020
If you passed over Edwards-Helaire your draft this year… well, there’s always next season.
The Chiefs adding Clyde Edwards-Helaire to their offense pic.twitter.com/8En9rVRk1D
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) September 11, 2020
Clyde Edwards Helaire fantasy owners rn: 😂 pic.twitter.com/ljqwC3t5ro
— 💪🏿👊🏽👊🏿👊🏾J⭕️KER🤴🏾👸🏿👸🏽🤴🏿💪🏽 (@LONEWOLFNICK27) September 11, 2020
I really skipped over Clyde Edwards-Helaire in fantasy… 😭 pic.twitter.com/AmVUinQJiQ
— Twigg (@daylon_twigg) September 11, 2020
I only have Clyde Edwards-Helaire in ONE fantasy league, and I’m getting more & more sad about that lol
— Jay (@JayCanada10) September 11, 2020
