I think it should be considered that Niang's ability to play may have contributed to Fisher's release.

It may be possible that Niang was the plan all along. It wouldn't be the first time the Chiefs made such a move.

It's amazing to me that people don't want to even consider that Niang could play LT but they're willing to trade multiple picks to get any number of guys that:

1. Have the same lack of NFL experience

2. Don't have the same measurables and

3. Didn't play as well against top competition as Niang did in college.

I honestly find it very hard to believe that Niang is absolutely not an NFL left tackle but a guy like Teven Jenkins is. That seems like backwards logic to me.

This was right after the draft.

“A lot of people ask me if I can play LT. I played LT my whole life except college. That’s a dumb question.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I love Lucas Niang’s mentality. Played RT at TCU but says he played LT his whole life before coming to college. Veach talked about him playing guard next year but could potentially move to RT/LT in the future for the Chiefs <a href="https://t.co/vroy9fGuwg">pic.twitter.com/vroy9fGuwg</a></p>&mdash; Braiden Turner (@bturner23) <a href="https://twitter.com/bturner23/status/1253990118609825794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I mean, I sincerely hope this guy is the next Willie Roaf for 12 years, and Mahomes becomes his best friend and introduces him for the HoF.

But I am lol'ing at the quote above-- played LT his whole life...except college. He was stoning those 170 lb DEs in 10th grade, how dare you question him?!!

He’s referring to knowing how to play the position. FFS....Schwartz came out and basically said that there isn’t a huge difference between LT and RT anymore because they’re asked to do the same shit.

I do not like ANY of this kind of talk. I really hope this is NOT any form of the plan.

Exactly.

Schwartz was a great RT according to this place but when he flat out says there's no difference between playing RT and LT, they don't believe him.

What do you mean?

I get it dude.

It’s the usual “Niang hasn’t played football in 2 years” crap.

IMO, it represents moving the goal post and settling on an experiment to protect Mahomes. This was in no way the original plan. If it were, then why go after Williams in the first place? We don't even know if Naing can play.

Part of it is. And it should not be regarded as "crap" until Naing proves otherwise. IMO, there is reason for a bit of concern.

It is an insignificant concern that Niang hasn't even participated in an organized football practice... college or NFL... since October 2019?

They went after Williams because you should always be looking at upgrades.

I didn’t say there shouldn’t be any concern but there better be a concern with starting a rookie then as well. They’ve never played in the NFL either.

Exactly. It's certainly warranted IMO.

But you referred to it as "crap" so I took that to mean you had no concern... FWIW, I'll be concerned with any rookie LT as well, but depending on who it is, I may or may not be as concerned as I would be with Naing playing there.

I referred to it as crap because it’s the go to when it comes to Niang. And then those same people want to start a rookie who may or may not have played a full season and may or may not have played LT in college.

And what are you concerned about with Niang not playing in nearly 2 years?

You are aware he’s been training right? Veach has kept his eye on him and communicated often.

If he can play he can play. If not, then he can’t. Not sure what time off has to do with this

Because Veach is an opportunistic guy.

Andy basically said it in his press conference:

1) The coaches feel like the line is solid.

2) They felt like Niang had the ability to play LT and

3) They had aspirations of putting him there after seeing him work out but

4) Veach is a guy that's ALWAYS looking for upgrades at every position. He never stops looking and never stops evaluating positions, even if it looks like they are set.

In other words, Veach went after Williams because he saw an opportunity to grab one of the best LT's in football, not because Andy told him they were thin at the position and needed a left tackle. Filling that spot didn't require Williams but Williams would have filled it to a level beyond anybody else.

As for Niang, no we don't know if he can play. We also don't know if any of the guys in this draft can play, including Penei Sewell. Sewell missed half of his freshman season with an injury, showed tremendous growth in his sophomore season, and then opted out in 2020 and didn't play in a single game. There's still unanswered questions, even with him, as small as they might be.

My only real concern with Niang is those goddamn chicken legs.

The lack of recent playing time is of course a concern, but i mean damn there's a lot of pro players and draftable players in that same boat so it's kinda hard to hold it against him.

Niang hasn't played in 2, Long hasn't played in 2, LDT hasn't played in 1....hell the rookie we draft may not have played last season.

Sounds like a lotta fresh bodies to me!

Well, that's certainly one way to look at it!

Which is exactly why I said I'd have a problem with any rookie playing LT. I'm all for signing a stop-gap Vet as insurance and letting the rest play out... Regarding Brown, we know that he can play, and I'd much rather roll with him than any rookie, but I don't want to part with the capital it will take to get him, it's for that reason that I'm not high on that possibility.

This thread is about the draft though. Whoever the Chiefs take they will probably still look for a stopgap vet so I don't think that really affects the purpose of this thread.

I for one think it is OT or WR, I can't see any other position being taken in the first. I'm team Rashod Bateman / Terrace Marshall or team Walker Little / Tevin Jenkins

It'll BPA.

Yeah yeah mocks have Bateman and Marshall going in the first.

I wouldn't be surprised if either of those guys are still on the board come day 2.

My point is that there's likely to be a rookie starting somewhere.

If you draft a LT, you probably won't have Niang at RT since that would essentially be TWO rookies.

If they think they're going to draft a LT and need a stop gap, they'd have to sign one. The pickings there are getting quite slim.

If they think they're going to draft a RT (because Niang is the LT) and need a stop gap, they already have TWO on the roster.

I'm not openly advocating for putting Niang at LT but if he can play left tackle and they believe in him, putting him there is by far the best situation for the Chiefs because then they can literally do whatever they want in the draft and not have to worry about still having holes.

Defensive end is a big possibility. It's a good class and they could definitely use one.

And they could go CB. After WR, the CB class this year is the best in the draft. And you can always use more of them. They could go with Samuel or Newsome, cover their bases for when Ward leaves (and he likely will), and it gives them flexibility with Sneed.

They won't draft CB in the first, why would they? Clearly they identify good corners on the regular or coach them up. DE is deep but because it is deep they can get that position later. Keyes and Baker are already on the team too.

First rd DE would be great, assuming we get a quality tackle in rd 2

Why would they?

Because Baker is a potential bust/wash out who might not even be able to make the team and Keyes is a late round pick that needs more time to get integrated, if he ever does.

This is one of the better CB classes in a long time and it's a VERY expensive position to maintain after initial rookie contracts expire.

There's a lot more to the draft than just immediate need, although with Ward being a free agent after next year and Fenton and Sneed being actual starting material, they absolutely have a need.

The only positions you can legitimately say with any certainty that they won’t take in the first round is QB, P and K. Everything else is an option.

And just FYI, they've only met with 3 players right now that have solid 1st round grades. 2 of the 3 are CB's.

If you don't think the Chiefs might take a CB, you're kidding yourself.

Yep.

I don't think they're going to take a CB




in the first

If they take a RB in the first, I won't be a fan for a while. :evil:

That's because you're thinking they'll only take a "position of need". I don't think the Chiefs F/O are thinking that narrowly.

DE, LB, CB, WR, OL....i think all of those positions are in play.

I doubt we'll see ANY rb go in the 1st.

I could ABSOLUTELY see Pittsburgh take Najee Harris. Tomlin's been talking him up and just signed an extension and could easily flex his leverage. People in Pittsburgh have been talking about this for a few weeks.

But they need so much more. A center, a tackle, a QB.

When Reid said that the plan was to move Niang to LT, really signaled that Williams negotiations sticking points were the long term contract the 49ers were offering in comparison to a short term contract the Chiefs were presenting not wanting to face competition for 1st string in the second year of the contract

He'll probably be a top 10 pick....in the 2nd round.

Leatherwood from Alabama

Devonta Smith at 166 pounds is going to slide. No GM in the top 15 wants to risk that. I think Mahomes, Veach and Reid would all love a premier third pass catcher. Go get him.

Hahahahaha

Couple of injury notes from the medical combine per GBN:

https://gbnreport.com/

WR Dyami Brown.

I think they trade away a player and picks draft day to move way up. OT, just do not know their favorite. We will definitely draft linebacker and a wide receiver. The only way to make Hill or hardman concentrate on catching balls is to stiffen the competition

:facepalm:

As I said before, they've met with 3 guys that have consensus 1st-round grades - two of 3 are CB's.

You better prepare yourself for it because it's absolutely a possibility.

Orlando Brown

Everybody gets a do over LMAO

I’m going to make a new thread so we can start fresh!

If somehow I’m right, this might be the best offense in league history.

I think now they go WR and CB in round 2.

I am all in on Dyami Brown. You put that guy on this football team and the offense is doing whatever the hell it wants to ANYBODY unless several injuries occur.

Goddamn just give me Dyami Brown and Payton Turner with our two 2nd rd picks and I will be absolutely thrilled

I'd do backflips man. I just don't think Brown will be within range. Hope so.

💪

****ING CALLED IT

That’s a hell of a call ��. I’m glad we got him.

Great job guys!