The Kansas City Chiefs added a new offensive lineman, selecting TCU tackle Lucas Niang with their third-round pick. The new lineman provides flexibility to the position group. Andy Reid can use him as a backup at tackle or possibly move him to guard with a chance to compete for the starting job.
Here are three things you should know about the newest member along the offensive line:
He will help improve the Chiefs pass blocking
Niang was a three-year starter for the Bullfrogs and never allowed a sack in 1,027 pass-blocker snaps demonstrating he can provide reliable protection to Kansas City’s offense. He also was able to shut down both Nick Bosa and Chase Young when TCU played Ohio State in 2018.
“That was the most excited I’ve probably ever been for a game,” Niang said at the combine. “I love competition. I like competing against the best to see how I measure up. I was really excited. What helped me going into the game the most was just watching film. Knowing what to expect, what Nick liked to do, what Chase liked to do. I wouldn’t say I was nervous. I was ready. It was a good feeling after the game was over. Although we lost, I did my job.”
Niang is confident in his ability and is willing to put in the work, so it won’t be surprising to see him continue to have success in Kansas City.
Niang is willing to play through injury
Tearing his hip before the 2018 season, Niang pushed through and didn’t get surgery until the following year. If it weren’t for the injury, it was likely that he would have gone before the 96th pick.
“I tore my hip going into fall camp junior year, 2018. Played through it. Found out it was torn in the offseason. I didn’t want to get surgery, so I tried to figure that out. I just played as long as I could play,” said Niang. “It was lingering. I was telling the trainers I couldn’t lift my leg up all the way. But I was able to do it. But ’19, it just progressively kept getting worse and worse. I couldn’t really do my technique. I couldn’t play my game.”
The Chiefs had problems keeping their offensive line healthy throughout the whole season, so having someone who is willing to tough out a potentially minor injury is certainly a plus. What the team obviously doesn’t want is an extended absence or for Niang to get the label of injury-prone.
Niang moves incredibly well for his size
Weighing 315 pounds, Niang can get to the second level to block linebackers with ease and considers his feet and vertical quickness to be his biggest strength. The Chiefs like that type of athleticism from their lineman since Reid likes to get them involved in the screen game. If he can translate that to the pros, we could see him starting sooner than later.
