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Fantasy Football: Top 6 rookie running backs for 2020 season

By Drew DeLuca

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 19: D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs rushes during the first half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 19: D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs rushes during the first half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU

Joe Burrow rightfully received the lion’s share of attention and accolades as the LSU Tigers marched towards their first National Championship in well over a decade. A great receiving corps led by two Biletnikoff Award semifinalists (Ja’Maar Chase and Justin Jefferson) also found the spotlight throughout the season, but unheralded running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire flew under the radar, as talented but undersized running backs often do.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 209 pounds
Projected 40 time (per ESPN.com): 4.47 seconds

Overlooking the slight-statured bowling ball with cat-like reflexes would be a massive mistake, as the nation’s top-ranked Clemson defense discovered during the College Football Playoffs. Edwards-Helaire racked up 164 total yards on 21 touches, demonstrating elite agility and slipperiness in the process.

The National Championship served as the tenth game in which the Baton Rouge, LA native recorded over 100 yards from scrimmage. Six were against teams ranked in the Top Ten at the time of each contest, proving that Edwards-Helaire’s performance against a formidable Clemson defense was far from a fluke.

Edwards-Helaire amassed 1,414 rushing yards on 225 attempts for an impressive 6.6 yards per attempt average. He totaled 17 touchdowns, all but one on the ground, hardly a surprise given the sheer volume of red zone weapons in the Tigers’ passing game.

“CEH” still served as an important passing game between the 20s. through the air. He racked up 453 receiving yards by hauling in 55 of 63 targets thrown his way, proof positive of his prowess as a weapon out of the backfield.

Edwards-Helaire took great care of the football, so the biggest knock against him appears to be his size. Yet, his low center of gravity and shiftiness offer him the ability to either elude tacklers or run through them in the second level, evoking memories of former Jacksonville Jaguars standout Maurice Jones-Drew.

The right landing spot is key for Edwards-Helaire. Fantasy footballers should expect him to be a terrific complementary back in a great offense that utilizes a load management approach at worst; at best, he’ll thrive as a two or three-down back in a pass-happy offense that suits his talents.

Preferred Draft Day Destinations: Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins

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