Chiefs rookie RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire shines in NFL debut

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the star of the show in his NFL debut Thursday night

It felt like a sense of normalcy returning to our lives Thursday night, as the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs kicked off the 2020 NFL season at Arrowhead Stadium. The Texans were looking for a bit of retribution after falling flat on their faces in the playoffs against the K.C. last year.

However, it was a rookie running back who stole the show for the Chiefs.

There was only one running back drafted in the first round in 2020, Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He was part of the LSU football team that made a historical run at the College Football Playoff National Championship. So it almost seemed unfair that CEH could go from one world champion team to another. On Thursday, Chiefs fans got a glimpse of what he could be for their offense.

All in all, Edwards-Helaire toted the rock 25 times Thursday night, racking up 138 yards and scoring his first NFL touchdown, which happened to be his longest run of the night:

CEH took the ball from Mahomes and found a hole on the left side, and after putting Texans safety Justin Reid on skates, it was off to the races.

Not a bad way to kick off your NFL career: His first career touchdown and first career 100-yard game in a 34-20 victory on opening night. As of right now, Edwards-Helaire is the leading rusher in the NFL.

Next up for CEH and the Chiefs, a trip to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers. The rookie phenom won’t sneak up on the Bolts, but after watching his performance Thursday night, it might not matter.

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2020 NFL Draft: Ranking the top-5 WR prospects

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense could be one star receiver away from being a good offense and the 2020 NFL Draft has plenty.

The Jacksonville Jaguars seem to be going all-in on young Gardner Minshew II. Last season, Minshew surprised all by having one of the more promising seasons at quarterback in recent history for Jacksonville.

During his rookie campaign, Minshew developed an instant connection with second-year receiver D.J. Chark Jr. Along with Chark, Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley, and Keelan Cole are the other notables in the receiver room. However, the team still lacks a true No. 1 receiver.

While Chark may become that in 2020, the team would still be doing themselves a huge favor by adding some extra weapons to Minshew’s arsenal. Here are the top-5 receivers in the draft and how they could fit in Jay Gruden’s offense:

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Henry Ruggs III

For my money, Ruggs is the best receiver in the 2020 class. He’s a blend of incredible speed and play-making ability. Ruggs’ touchdown production has been unprecedented and it’s one of my main draws to him. He’s a bit thinner of a receiver but has incredible hands and goes up to snatch balls on a regular basis. While the Jags’ front office could fall in love with his speed, it’s hard to see a scenario where Ruggs becomes a Jaguar, unless of course, he falls to No. 20.

Jags land DT Derrick Brown, CB Kristian Fulton in USA TODAY Sports mock draft

The Jags need starters all over their defense and were able to land two in USA Today Sports’ latest mock by Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz.

While the Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t in the postseason this month there will be plenty of meaningful football to watch for the team’s fans as they will have the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl to look forward to for all of the draft addicts. The offseason also means mock drafts will be surfacing left and right on the web, especially from our comrades at USA TODAY.

Thursday, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY Sports posted his first mock draft of the year and it was one full of interesting selections. The Jags themselves were able to land two standout players from the best collegiate conference in football, the Southeastern Conference, starting with a successor to Marcell Dareus in Auburn’s Derrick Brown.

9. Jaguars — Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn: No one in college football dominated games on the interior in 2019 quite like Brown, who became a fixture in opposing backfields. With Marcell Dareus a seeming long shot to stick around due to his $22.5 million cap hit, Brown would give Jacksonville a promising player to pair inside with 2018 first-round pick Taven Bryan.

Most Jags fans would agree that Brown falling to the team at the No. 9 pick would be a dream scenario as the Jags struggled mightily to stop the run without Dareus. The powerful Auburn defensive tackle could speed up the process for the Jags’ defense to become elite again like the 2017 unit fans grew to love and maybe he and Bryan could grow into one of the league’s dominant young duos.

Additionally, Brown fits in the sense that the Jags love SEC talent as their last three first-round picks (Bryan, Leonard Fournette, and Josh Allen) were from the conference. It’s a given that they would also be intrigued by his dominance against other elite players in the conference as he was able to rack up 55 total tackles and four sacks while anchoring Auburn’s defensive line.

With their second first-round pick (from the Los Angeles Rams), the Jags were slotted Louisiana State cornerback Kristian Fulton. He’s a player we’ve talked about often here on Jaguars Wire and our own Daniel Griffis did an article on him highlighting his skill set. In a nutshell, his technical skills (footwork and hip fluidity specifically) would make him the perfect candidate to either replace veteran corner A.J. Bouye, who could be a cap casualty (would save the Jags $11.4 million if released), or Tre Herndon, who replaced Jalen Ramsey and played well down the stretch.

20. Jaguars (from Rams) — Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU: It’s hard for a first-round cornerback to be overlooked in his own secondary, but Fulton might not have received his due this year after playing alongside the Thorpe Award winner Delpit and the freshman star Stingley. At some point in the draft, Jacksonville needs to find a replacement for Jalen Ramsey.

When considering Yannick Ngakoue is due for a new deal, the best option may be to release Bouye and convert the saved money into a multi-year deal for Ngakoue. That also would give the Jags two young corners to develop together as Herndon and Fulton have great upside.