CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN'S DRAFT TRADES
CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE
HEIGHT/WEIGHT/AGE
5-foot-7
207 pounds
21 years old
BIG PICTURE
Clyde Edwards-Helaire was nondescript heading into his junior season, but he turned into a star on LSU's prolific championship offense. Edwards-Helaire, a four-star Louisiana-based recruit, ran for less than 5.0 yards per carry his first two seasons. In 2019, he busted out for 1,414 yards, 6.6 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns. Was given a bigger workload as the season went along and paid it off with five 100-yard games in the final eight, including 110 yards in the title game. He doesn't have the straightline speed of many backs his size, but his agility allows him to slither between the tackles. Remained mostly healthy in his LSU career.
COMBINE NOTABLES
4.6 40-yard dash
15 bench reps (T-3rd worst)
39.5-inch vertical (T-3rd)
123-inch broad jump
VIKINGS COMPATIBILITY RANKING
1 out of 5. There are many LSU Tigers that make sense for the Vikings to draft, but Edwards-Helaire probably isn't one of them based on Minnesota's depth at running back.
HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT DRAFT EXPERTS SAY
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: "Compact, sudden back who runs low to the ground with power and balance to break tackles and the agility to bob, weave and shake them in tight quarters. Edwards-Helaire runs with instinctive eyes and quick-cut foot speed. He doesn't really have tells or tendencies and can alter the rush track when needed, which makes him so unpredictable for defenses. While he can create for himself, he's better off working inside-out as NFL linebackers might be able to outflank him on pure outside runs. He has pop behind his pads but lacks short-yardage size. He has the talent to become a good, three-down back in time, but needs to improve in pass protection."
Benjamin Solak, Draft Network: "Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a Day 2 candidate for a man-blocking team looking for a primary back in a committee. Edwards-Helaire has elite decision-making ability behind the line of scrimmage, and his game is predicated off of savvy cuts, manipulation of timing/pacing, and sneaky quicks. Edwards-Helaire is also a quality route-runner with great instincts and feel, as well as trustworthy hands, and is a strong candidate for three-down usage given that existing profile and a positive projection for pass protection given his vision and strength. Edwards-Helaire is not a plus athlete for the position and is unlikely to grow much in the NFL, but is a Year 1 candidate for 12-15 touches every week, and projects as a high-floor back who will carve out a role of some size in the league."
WHAT PFF SAYS
92.0 overall grade in 2019 (2nd)
71 missed tackles forced (13th)
21 carries of 15+ yards (T-14th)
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
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