This Chiefs rookie from TCU could work into mix, play some in place of opted-out LDT
It’s widely known by now that Chiefs right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, the affable Canadian medical doctor, has opted out of playing during the 2020 NFL season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One obvious option for filling the void left behind by the well-liked “LDT,” probably the most likely one, is that recently acquired veteran Kelechi Osemele will slot into a starting role somewhere on the Chiefs’ line.
But that’s not the Chiefs’ only option for filling Duvernay-Tardif’s big shoes.
Along with a few other capable vets on the roster, the Chiefs procured themselves a capable rookie in this year’s NFL Draft: Lucas Niang, selected in Round 3 out of TCU.
One way or another, coach Andy Reid believes his Chiefs, who won Super Bowl LIV in Miami Feb. 2 by beating the San Francisco 49ers 30-21 thanks in part to typically solid protection of Patrick Mahomes from Duvernay-Tardif, will be in good hands.
Rookies like Niang haven’t been able to get in reps they’d usually would’ve received this offseason because the NFL canceled all such workouts as the coronavirus spread.
Veterans weren’t able to able to offer those NFL newcomers their valuable in-person advice. And the recent decision to shelve all preseason games this year means first-year pros like Niang will need to show what they’ve got during soon-to-start NFL training camps as opposed to four exhibition contests offering real-game settings.
All of this is to say that Niang, who played quite capably in college, has a unique opportunity to make an immediate impact in Kansas City.
“Yeah, let’s get him in here, get him in practice, and then we’ll get him adjusted and see how he does,” Reid said.
The 21-year-old Niang earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after his junior year. A hip injury and subsequent surgery cut short his senior season in Fort Worth, but he played right tackle for six of seven games.
“I’m fired up — firing on all cylinders,” Niang said. “I’m ready to put the pads on and get some contact.”
Veterans Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher will man the tackle positions for the Chiefs this fall. Niang said that when he was drafted, there was some conversation about him moving to guard. So he has been training on his own for that potential adjustment.
Niang said he’s actually been trying to learn four positions: left and right guard and left and right tackle. Being versatile is a major plus when you’re an offensive linemen — especially a younger one.
“I work both left and right the whole time because I just want to be ready to play anywhere on the line,” he said. “I think it’ll just help having the hand combat and stuff that I’ve been doing at tackle that I haven’t had at guard.”
Reid said anyone on the roster, rookie or veteran, has a chance to play at the start of the season.
They just need to show during camp, which is slated to begin sometime in mid-August, that they deserve the playing time.
This story was originally published July 26, 2020 at 5:00 AM.