3 Chiefs Most Likely to Be Traded Before Roster Cutdown Day

2. Lucas Niang, OT

When the Chiefs used a third-round pick on Lucas Niang in 2020, they believed they had a future starter on the offensive line. He even made nine starts in 2021 while appearing in 12 games. This was after he decided to opt out of his rookie season due to COVID concerns.

In his second season, however, Niang had a shoulder injury slow him down and he ended up playing in just seven games that season and wasn't able to start either. He remained a reserve in 2023 and now could be on the bubble.

The Chiefs will start Jawaan Taylor on the right side and either Wanya Morris or rookie Kingsley Saumataia on the left. Whoever loses that battle will wind up being the swing tackle. There's still room for another quality backup and Niang would certainly offer that. The question becomes whether they want to keep him as OT4 or trade him during the final season of his contract.

Kansas City would have to feel good about undrafted rookie Ethan Driskell, an undrafted free agent out of Marshall. If they do, then seeing what they can get for Niang would be smart. Teams such as the Cleveland Browns could be a willing trade partner after they saw several tackles go down with an injury and are still waiting for Jedrick Wills to be cleared.

As is often the case with trades this late in the year, the return might not be much. But that's better than releasing a player and getting nothing at all.