Kansas City Chiefs 2020 NFL Draft Report Card
Round 3 – Pick 96 – Lucas Niang – OT – TCU
While many Chiefs fans (myself included) focused more on interior offensive line prospects, K.C. ended up taking a promising offensive tackle in TCU’s Lucas Niang. Niang started just six games due to a hip injury last season, but it is believed that he should be good to go next season. That injury may be the main reason the Chiefs were able to land a high upside tackle prospect at the back of the third round.
Many rankings had Niang as a second round value. According to PFF, Niang was not credited with allowing a single sack in three seasons of starting games at right tackle and was only called for 3 penalties in 1,982 offensive snaps. Much like Gay, Niang has fantastic physical tools, but is very raw and much in need of coaching to improve his technique and footwork.
The Pro Football Focus Draft Guide had this to say:
"Niang’s pass sets are tough to watch at times, but even as un-aesthetically pleasing as they were, he got the job done. That’s encouraging for when he does get some NFL-level coaching."
This snippet from Kyle Crabb’s profile on Niang at Draft Network sounds very promising:
"Lucas Niang is a high-upside starter in the NFL. Niang’s mobility would make him a great fit in a zone style system and his length and range as a pass blocker make him an attractive option for teams with deeper passing concepts. There is some refinement needed in Niang’s footwork but he shows all the requisite physical skills to be a plus starter in the pros. Should find the field early and improve through first few seasons."
Three of the grades on this pick seem pretty clear cut to me. Getting a tackle with that kind of upside at the end of the third round is fantastic. Yes, once again there were some cornerbacks that many KC fans wanted on the board, but I still think you can argue that Niang’s value at the end of the third round is as good as anyone else that was available. Niang definitely has the skills needed to excel in K.C.’s line so the fit is good as well, but I knocked him slightly because he’ll need some development before he can do what they need at tackle. With all the scouting reports you can read on him mentioning his high upside, that grade will be high too.
The one grade that has me a little stumped is his grade for need/immediate impact. The Chiefs have two good starting tackles in Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, but having a developmental tackle to groom was somewhat of a need. Also, Andy Reid and Brett Veach mentioned in their post draft interviews that they believed Niang could move inside and play guard until a need at tackle arrises. So there is a chance that Niang could start this season, but it’s also possible that they just develop him at tackle if other guys show enough at guard this year that he isn’t needed. If you want to argue that my grade for need/immediate impact should be higher or lower, I completely understand both arguments.
Draft Slot Value Grade: A
Fit With Chiefs Grade: B+
Need/Immediate Impact Grade: B-
Long Term Upside Grade: A
Overall Pick Grade: A-
Next up, the Chiefs finally get some secondary help in the fourth round.