KC Chiefs: Three things to know about Lucas Niang

With the 96th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the KC Chiefs selected Lucas rNiang, an offensive tackle out of TCU. What should fans know about their team’s newest tackle?

In my list of needs for day 2, I listed offensive tackle and this pick made a lot of sense for the Kansas City Chiefs. Incumbents Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz are both getting up there in age and their backup last year was not good.

This was obviously a pick for both the present and future because protecting Patrick Mahomes has to be a priority. Let’s break this pick down a little and get to know our new offensive lineman.

DIDN’T ALLOW A SACK AT TCU

Let’s start off with the fact that Niang hasn’t allowed a sack since 2017.  According to PFF College, he had 975 pass-blocking snaps over the course of the last three years. That is impressive on a number of levels.

Now there are a number of factors that go into that because of the differing of defenses between college and the pros, but even some of the best tackles in the NFL couldn’t boast that in college.

If he can have seasons like that in the NFL, this pick will look like a steal.  I have faith because Andy Heck is one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL. He can speak from experience, as he was a tackle in the NFL for over a decade.

COULD PROVIDE COMPETITION AT LEFT GUARD

Brett Veach has said that he could start at guard until he is ready to take over at one of the tackle spots and Leigh Oleszczak of KC Kingdom noted this in her latest article about Niang. If Niang did win a guard spot, that would mean pushing either Andrew Wylie or Laurent Duvernay-Tardif out of their spot.

Andrew Wylie was benched and wasn’t even active in the Super Bowl with Nick Allegretti being active instead. LDT has been inconsistent ever since coming back from injury and has some bigger cap hits in the coming years. This is a move that makes sense on all levels.

If Niang does push either of the two veterans out, it can only mean good things for the team. It is good because it means that he is good as a rookie to push established guys out and the Chiefs offensive line will be better.

It will also give him in-game experience that will only help him in the future. If he doesn’t push Wylie or LDT out, just knowing that he could play either guard or tackle provides that flexibility that Reid likes in his offensive linemen.

MINIMAL PENALTIES

To go along with his zero sacks, he also only committed a whopping three penalties in his entire career at TCU.  For perspective, Joe Johnson who was considered one of the top tackles in the draft had four holding penalties in his junior season alone. That shows a lot of discipline and awareness by the Horned Frog.

While pass rushers in the NFL will be much better than those in college, this only means good things for his future. Nothing more frustrating both players and fans than penalties at the worst possible time.

Conclusions

Lucas Niang was a fantastic pick by the KC Chiefs; Not only for the future, but for the present as well, especially if he does manage to beat out either Andrew Wylie or LDT for their spot.

At worst, he is a backup for four spots on the offensive line this year.