Clyde Edwards-Helaire DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the New Orleans Saints re-signed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday. Edwards-Helaire began the 2024 season with the Kansas City Chiefs but opened the year on the Non-Football Illness list while dealing with mental-health issues. The former 32nd overall pick by the Chiefs in 2020 out of LSU never played in a regular-season game for KC last year before being waived in December and picked up by the Saints as additional depth for a banged-up backfield. The 25-year-old ended up playing in two games for the Saints, carrying the ball 13 times for 46 yards and adding three catches for 24 yards. CEH, who has averaged 4.2 yards per carry in his five NFL seasons, will now work out with New Orleans this offseason and attempt to win a roster spot in training camp. He'll be facing an uphill battle for a significant role on offense in 2025.

New Orleans Saints running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire needed all of 26 rushing yards to lead the team in the category in Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He added another 14 yards on his only catch of the game. With Alvin Kamara (groin) and Kendre Miller (concussion) sidelined for the season finale, backfield reps were split up among Edwards-Helaire, Jamaal Williams, and Jordan Mims. Williams got the start and out-snapped Edwards-Helaire 24-18, but the backs drew an equal share of carries out of the backfield. The Saints signed the Louisiana native and LSU alum in mid-December after he was released from the Chiefs. Inactive for all of 2024 save the last two games of the Saints' schedule, Edwards-Helaire finishes the year with 46 rushing yards on 13 carries and three receptions for 24 yards. In his previous four years in Kansas City, he had 1,845 rushing yards and 745 receiving.

Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be active on Sunday according to interim head coach Darren Rizzi. With Kendre Miller (concussion) out and Alvin Kamara (groin) doubtful, Edward-Helaire should factor into the run game alongside Jamaal Williams as he did in Week 17. Last week, CEH led the team in rushing attempts with five after Miller was forced out of the game in the second quarter due to his head injury. In comments to the media on Friday, Rizzi complimented Edwards-Helaire's ability to learn the offense so quickly and said that he was impressed with his work ethic and determination. With CEH having joined New Orleans only two weeks ago and Williams being largely ineffective as a rusher this season, it is hard to say who will emerge as the primary back in Week 18's matchup against the Buccaneers. Jordan Mims may also mix in, making all three backs easy fades in fantasy.