As a playoff push arrives, it makes sense for Rams to kick this FA tires

As the 2020 NFL Draft arrived, many expected the LA Rams to address the running back position. One of the rookie prospects that was frequently linked to the team in the 2020 NFL Draft was LSU versatile running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. To no surprise, he was one of the top-rated running backs that year. The Rams did not hold a Round 1 pick in the draft, but the Kansas Chiefts did. And so, the Chiefs selected LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire with the 32nd overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

It's not that he has not been productive in the Chiefs offense. In his rookie season, he ran for over 803 yards and four touchdowns as well as putting up 297 receiving yards and one touchdown. But this is the NFL, and if the trend for any players slopes in a negative direction, NFL teams tend to shed those players.

The Rams drafted Florida State RB Cam Akers in Round 2 that year, and have since traded him to the Minnesota Vikings in 2023. Now the question is, does it make sense to kick the tires on a player who was recently released, with only three games left on the schedule?

Perhaps, and here's why:

3 reasons to kick the tires on Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The Rams roster currently boasts four running backs on the active roster. So far, the team has gotten the lion's share of the work through featured RB Kyren William. But the Rams offense has gotten nothing from RB Cody Schrader, and only a token amount of work from RB Ronnie Rivers. So you can easily make an argument to take on a veteran on the one-year deal signed after his rookie contract, if for no other reason than to see what he brings to the offense.

(3) - Low risk high rewards for a former Round 1 selection

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is playing on the final throes of his rookie contract, and will become a free agent in 2025. So adding him to the roster for the final three games may take up a roster spot, but this team is already carrying four running backs. If the team simply moves a currently RB to the practice squad and adds Edwards-Helaire, they have three games, plus any postseason competition, to determine whether or not he is a fit in this offense.

If not, he can sign a contract with a new team in 2025, and may even trigger the algorithm for the Rams to be awarded a compensatory draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

(2) - The Rams simply have little experience behind RB Kyren Williams

The Rams are improving their chances to compete in the postseason every week. But this is an offense that depends heavily upon a dependable and productive running game. If anything happens to Kyren Williams, there is simply no experience on the Rams roster to carry them into and through the playoffs. Clyde Edwards-Helaire not only has post-season experience, but he competed for the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason as well.

Best of all, he stands 5-foot-7 and weighs 207 pounds. That is the ideal size for this Rams offense.

(1) Clyde Edwards-Helaire has vast experience in the Chiefs offense

The Kansas City Chiefs have won both Super Bowls following the Rams' victory in Super Bowl LVI, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been on that Chiefs' roster in both years. In 2024, the Chiefs appear to be a team that is poised and capable of winning their third Super Bowl. So why not add a player who can be an incredible source of intel on a potential Super Bowl foe?

This is not as simple as 'see player released, want player released,' as it may first appear. The Rams have been working RB Kyren Williams very hard this season. While rookie RB Blake Corum has the ability to handle a greater workload, the team has not afforded more work to him. If he is promoted as a fill-in starter, who backfills form additional carries?

CEH is by no means a sure thing. He has not carried the football at all this season and has been a healthy scratch in the last nine games. But changes in latitude bring changes in attitude. It's worth taking a chance on the guy. He is finishing up a one-year contract worth $1.7 million.

He has openly discussed battling PTSD, and the violent symptoms that the ailment has brought to his life. But after the team's experience with QB Stetson Bennett and even Head Coach Sean McVay, is there a better team in the NFL to handle that affliction? How many NFL Players have rediscovered their passion for the game by signing with the LA Rams? One more, no guarantees. But there is some upside.

The Rams liked him in the 2020 NFL Draft. Perhaps they still like him enough to see what he has left in his tank.

As always, thanks for reading.

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