Denver Broncos: AFC West rookies who will be problematic

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #22 of the LSU Tigers runs the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are getting a very good player in running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He is a big back who is not that tall (5’8”, 209 lbs) or fast (4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash), but is very shifty.

The Broncos allowed 94.19 rushing yards per game in 2019 but had a huge outlier against the Jacksonville Jaguars when Leonard Fournette went off for 225 yards on the ground. In that game, the Broncos allowed 267 total rushing yards.

The addition of Jurrell Casey via a trade with the Tennessee Titans could potentially help the team’s cause when it comes to stopping the run; however, Casey is more of a bullrush defensive tackle who specializes at getting to the quarterback.

I really am concerned about the Chiefs’ addition of Edwards-Helaire not only for his rushing skills but for his receiving potential. In week 7 while playing for LSU, Edwards-Helaire caught seven passes. A week later, he caught nine.

The Broncos were not great against running backs through the air last year. Specifically, against the Chargers in weeks five and 13 (20 receptions, 101 yards; 6 receptions, 62 yards, touchdown), and the Raiders in week 17 (10 receptions, 94 yards).

Hopefully, something will change in 2020, and the Broncos will be much better at stopping the run as well as defending running backs through the air.

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