The Kansas City Chiefs left tackle situation is one of the few question marks on an otherwise-stacked roster. After Donovan Smith failed to bounce back during his first year in Kansas City, the team turned to the NFL Draft to find Patrick Mahomes’ long-term protector. Second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia and incumbent Wayna Morris are battling for the starting job, which makes former third-round pick Lucas Niang a popular trade target.
Taken with the 96th-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the TCU product enters the final year of his rookie contract with no clear path to playing time. One of Morris and Suamataia will start at left tackle, while Jawaan Taylor’s massive contract ensures he’ll start at right tackle for the entire season. In a recent article, Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler said the reigning Super Bowl champions should consider a Lucas Niang trade, as several teams could be interested in bolstering their tackle depth.
Niang’s trade value, despite his limited snaps, could be at its peak right now given his youth and potential. Teams that are able to ignore his injury history could take a flier on the 25-year-old Niang, banking on his upside and the possibility that he could develop into a solid starter, should he stay healthy.
Lucas Niang Could Be On Trade Block, Saints, Panthers Could Pursue
Nobody needs a tackle more than the New Orleans Saints. Derek Carr is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league against pressure, and the Saints might have the worst offensive line in the league. While Erik McCoy is a fine center, the guard and right tackle positions are active liabilities. First-round tackle Taliese Fuaga has potential, but he injured his back in practice. Carr will not survive a season with Trevor Penning at right tackle and an injured rookie on the left side, so why wouldn’t the Saints trade for Lucas Niang?
Niang has not been the picture of consistency since entering the league, notably struggling to stay healthy through his first three seasons. However, beggars can’t be choosers, and the Saints are in no position to be picky about adding help to the offensive line. Head coach Dennis Allen will lose his job if New Orleans can’t make it to the playoffs, so he has every reason to try and trade for someone like Lucas Niang. Maybe he doesn’t work out, but it can’t hurt to try.
Panthers Adding Depth
The Carolina Panthers did a remarkable job surrounding Bryce Young with talent over the past few months. The quarterback faced poor blocking with nonexistent weapons last year, but that shouldn’t happen with the notable additions of Diontae Johnson, Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis, and first-round pick Xavier Legette. However, there is still one major question mark on this offense, and that’s at the left tackle position. Former first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu flashed moments of greatness through his first two seasons, but the jury is still out on whether or not he can be a true franchise left tackle.
In a perfect world, Ekwonu will step up and prove himself as Carolina’s blindside protector of the future. However, this team does not have a Plan B if the tackle continues to regress. Lucas Niang is one of the better options still on the trade block, and he shouldn’t cost too much in draft capital. Perhaps a late-round pick swap would be enough to get the job done and add some much-needed insurance to the offensive line.
Main Photo: Bob Self – USA Today Sports
