Why TCU’s Gary Patterson pegged Lucas Niang as a ‘steal’ in this year’s NFL Draft
When people look back on the 2020 NFL Draft, TCU coach Gary Patterson believes offensive tackle Lucas Niang will look like a steal.
The Kansas City Chiefs landed Niang with a third-round pick (96th overall) last Friday.
“I’ll be honest with you, if Lucas Niang stays healthy, I think he was a steal,” Patterson said.
Niang, 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, didn’t allow a sack in his college career (1,027 career pass-block snaps). He played right tackle for TCU, but feels he has the versatility to play on the left side at the next level if needed.
Niang was regarded as one of the top offensive tackle prospects much of the season, but had his senior season cut short with an injury. He was limited to seven games in 2019, undergoing season-ending hip surgery in November.
Reports suggest he is making good progress from his hip surgery and Patterson believes Niang has a promising future..
“The guy is huge,” Patterson said. “A very powerful run blocker. More powerful than the guys that have gone out the last few years. He’s a smart player. The biggest thing is he needs to stay healthy. If he can stay healthy, his ceiling is very high.”
Niang was one of five TCU players drafted last week. Wide receiver Jalen Reagor and cornerback Jeff Gladney went in the first round, the first time the program has had multiple first-round picks since 1939, and defensive tackle Ross Blacklock was a second-round pick. Safety Vernon Scott went to the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round.
Five more players have signed as undrafted free agents.
