#Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s fantasy football draft status is all wrong

As we understand it, back when Broadway still had plays, “Hamilton” was an expensive ticket. A lot more expensive than many other Broadway shows, significantly more expensive than off-Broadway fare, and in another financial realm than your local suburban theater offerings.

But what if you didn’t really want to spend that much on “Hamilton,” yet you really wanted to see a show? Perhaps you would venture to the local playhouse. Now, imagine demand for that show suddenly accelerated tremendously. Almost in an instant, those tickets become much more expensive, almost as costly as “Hamilton.”

Yet, the show quality is still the same. It’s fine, you enjoy it while you’re there, but it definitely isn’t worth the “Hamilton” price. If you knew that ahead of time, would you buy the ticket?

The Madman wouldn’t. Just like we wouldn’t draft Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The rookie Chiefs running back rocketed up draft boards as soon as primary RB Damien Williams opted out of the 2020 season over COVID-19 concerns. Instantly, every fantasy drafter saw a highly productive position in a highly productive offense with a highly touted rookie in position to fill it.

It all makes sense, right? Or does it? Last year Williams routinely was drafted in the middle of the second round. He was more established then than CEH now, yet there were still detractors who thought that was too high for Williams. Turns out, it was. He missed five games and was used in limited fashion in a handful of others.

We can’t forecast injuries, so let’s just focus on his usage. Williams had just five games in which he had double-digit carries. LeSean McCoy had nearly as many carries. The year before, after cutting Kareem Hunt for off-field behavior, Williams virtually split carries with Spencer Ware. Point being: Coach Andy Reid, once known as a feature-RB coach, has become more comfortable with something resembling committees, even if forced.

Now, consider the situation this season: a rookie, with no offseason, with a limited training camp, with no preseason games, trying to learn a new offense. Do you really think the Chiefs are going to put CEH on the field in passing situations, when he hasn’t had proper reps to learn pass protection, exposing franchise QB Patrick Mahomes to the danger of a missed blocking assignment?

Nope, we don’t think so either. Maybe by season’s end, CEH is a bona fide fantasy stud. But it isn’t likely to happen early on. That makes his rise into the first round completely unwarranted.

Yep, we know, its sacrilege to not be in love with Edwards-Helaire. It’s like comparing “Hamilton” to “Billy Joe’s Pretty Good Acting Show.” But from the way we see it, CEH is no “Hamilton.” And if the cost of a ticket is a first-round pick, we don’t mind bypassing that show.

Fantasy rankings: Running backs

1. Christian McCaffrey, Car

2. Saquon Barkley, NYG

3. Ezekiel Elliott, Dal

4. Dalvin Cook, Min

5. Alvin Kamara, NO

6. Derrick Henry, Ten

7. Kenyan Drake, Ari

8. Joe Mixon, Cin

9. Aaron Jones, GB

10. Josh Jacobs, LV

11. Nick Chubb, Cle

12. Miles Sanders, Phi

13. Austin Ekeler, LAC

14. Leonard Fournette, Jac

15. David Johnson, Hou

16. Le’Veon Bell, NYJ

17. Chris Carson, Sea

18. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC

19. James Conner, Pit

20. Melvin Gordon, Den

21. Raheem Mostert, SF

22. Devin Singeltary, Buf

23. Todd Gurley, Atl

24. Kareem Hunt, Cle

25. James White, NE

26. Mark Ingram, Bal

27. David Montgomery, Chi

28. Kerryon Johnson, Det

29. Cam Akers, LAR

30. Matt Breida, Mia

31. Phillip Lindsay, Den

32. Marlon Mack, Ind

33. D’Andre Swift, Det

34. Tarik Cohen, Chi

35. Jonathan Taylor, Ind

36. Adrian Peterson, Was

37. Tevin Coleman, SF

38. Tony Pollard, Dal

39. Nyheim Hines, Ind

40. Jordan Howard, Mia

41. Darrell Henderson, LAR

42. Jalen Richard, LV

43. Alexander Mattison, Min

44. Latavius Murray, NO

45. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, TB

46. Sony Michel, NE

47. J.K. Dobbins, Bal

48. Justin Jackson, LAC

49. Ronald Jones, TB

50. Antonio Gibson, Was