Chiefs turn to big TCU offensive lineman with their third-round pick in 2020 NFL Draft
The Chiefs bolstered their offensive-line depth by selecting TCU tackle Lucas Niang 96th overall in Friday night’s third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The 6-6, 315-pound Niang became a starter for the Horned Frogs as a sophomore in 2017 and had his best year as a junior, when he was named second-team All-Big 12.
A hip surgery cut short his senior season. He started six of seven games at right tackle before being sidelined. He did not work out at the February NFL Scouting Combine.
Niang said he’ll be ready to work when practices begin, though, even with that timeframe unknown because of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m 100 percent now,” Niang said. “I’m doing strength and conditioning stuff now.”
The New Canaan, Conn., native did not allow a sack in his final two seasons at TCU. He’s considered somewhat raw in terms of technique but with development could be a part of the core group that protects Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
He was ranked as the highest-graded pass-blocker in the Big 12 (minimum 300 snaps) by Pro Football Focus in 2018.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said that one game stood out from that season, when the Horned Frogs played Ohio State — a team that included defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Chase Young. Bosa was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year for the San Francisco 49ers last season, and Young was the second player taken in this year’s draft, by Washington, on Thursday.
“He did a good job against both,” Veach said.
The Chiefs are set to return starting tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher this fall. But a move to guard may not be out of the question for Niang.
“We talked about it, but it wasn’t a big thing,” Niang said. “I’ll do whatever they need me to do to win.”
Veach said Niang’s path to a starting role could start at guard and that he could develop into an NFL tackle.
“Right off the bat, he’d have a chance to compete at guard,” Veach said. “This will be a challenge if you have a virtual offseason and how much training camp you have. If we get the best-case scenario, and we start training camp on time, he’d pop in at guard.”
The team picked Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay Jr. in Friday’s second round and LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Thursday night’s first round. The Chiefs still have two more picks in the final rounds of the draft on Saturday.
They have a fourth-round pick, No. 138 overall, and a fifth-round selection, No. 177 overall. The Chiefs aren’t scheduled to pick in the sixth and seven rounds, the final two rounds of the draft.
If the Chiefs finish with five picks it will match the fewest in franchise history — they had five in 2002 and 1993, as well. The 1993 draft produced a Hall of Famer in guard Will Shields.
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 10:51 PM.
