Chiefs-Texans players to watch: Check out the Andy Reid rookie success meter
When rookies have started for the Chiefs under Andy Reid, they’ve excelled: Cornerback Marcus Peters (2015), Tyreek Hill (2016) and Mecole Hardman (2019) as return men/wide receivers, and running back Kareem Hunt (2017), all made the Pro Bowl in their first season.
Those expectations follow running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the first-round draft selection from LSU, into 2020.
Here are some players to watch when the Chiefs meet the Houston Texans Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
The pass-catching and pass-blocking abilities of Edwards-Helaire are just as important as his rushing attempts. In his last game, Edwards-Helaire rushed for 110 yards and added 54 receiving yards in LSU’s College Football Playoff victory over Clemson for the national title. The Chiefs would take that against the Texans.
Chiefs CB Rashad Fenton
The second-year pro could make his first NFL start Thursday night, but Fenton has big-game experience, having played about 40 percent of the Chiefs’ defensive snap counts in their three playoff games. The Chiefs are thin at the position due to Bashaud Breeland’s suspension to open the season and will be leaning on Fenton and newcomer Antonio Hamilton to keep up with Houston’s Watson-led offense.
Texans RB David Johnson
A big season by would quiet the critics of the trade that brought Johnson to Houston and sent DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals. Johnson was an All-Pro in 2016, but the former Northern Iowa standout has been slowed by injuries in two of the past three years. Carlos Hyde had a career year with the Texans in 2019 before moving to Seattle. Johnson looks to follow suit.
Texans LB Zach Cunningham
It’s a contract year for Cunningham, who led the Texans in tackles by a wide margin last season. Cunningham is an excellent run-stopper but has to be better against the pass. New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver was promoted from offensive line coach to replace former Chiefs stalwart Romeo Crennel, who remains on the staff as an associate head coach.