Chiefs Boldly Give Jamaal Charles' Number Away to Clyde Edwards-Helaire
By Mark Powell
The Kansas City Chiefs gifted us one final first round surprise on Thursday night, drafting LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire to join an already-electric offense featuring Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.
The Chiefs' backfield, now led by Damien Williams and Edwards-Helaire, is expected to play a huge role in the offense, with the National Champ a significant addition in the passing game as well.
Just a day later, Edwards-Helaire jerseys are available to the public, and he'll be sporting a very familiar number.
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— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 24, 2020
For those unfamiliar, arguably the greatest Chief to ever sport No. 25 is former fan favorite and Pro Bowler Jamaal Charles, who last played for the team in 2016. If Edwards-Helaire can have anything close to that level of success in his Chiefs career, his No. 32 selection will be considered a steal by Kansas City and Brett Veach.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire had an adjusted broken tackle rate of 86% in 2019 (@CFBFilmRoom).
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) April 20, 2020
How good was that?
NFL Draft RB's like Cam Akers, D'Andre Swift and J.K. Dobbins all sit at or below 33%.
More on how dominant #LSU's RB was in the run to 15-0.https://t.co/ZdjHP2Tp8e pic.twitter.com/uNRYep8Ytd
Charles is the Chiefs' all-time leading rusher and ended his KC career with 64 touchdowns. Those numbers are big league, and suggest the current Chiefs management expects similar production from Edwards-Helaire somewhere down the road.
But really, on Day One in KC? Very bold.