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TCU OT Lucas Niang reportedly expected to fall to day 3 of 2020 NFL Draft

By Sam Penix

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 9: Kyle Hicks #21 runs the ball behind the blocking of Lucas Niang #77 of the TCU Horned Frogs during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Horn Frogs defeated the Razorbacks 28-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 9: Kyle Hicks #21 runs the ball behind the blocking of Lucas Niang #77 of the TCU Horned Frogs during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Horn Frogs defeated the Razorbacks 28-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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TCU’s Lucas Niang is a top OT prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft, but injury concerns surround his recent hip surgery are reportedly pushing him to Day 3.

The 2020 NFL Draft class is absolutely loaded at offensive tackle, with some very good prospects expected to be available on day three. TCU’s Lucas Niang, currently a day two prospect, could join the group of Day 3 players due to injury concerns, according to a recent report from Draft Countdown’s Scott Wright:

Niang was a three-year starter for the Horned Frogs, playing in 12 of 13 games his freshman season, then starting the final eight games of 2017. He then started all 13 games as a junior and did not allow a single sack, earning an 83.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He committed just three penalties over 1,982 career snaps. Niang has good size at 6’6″ 315lbs with 34 1/4″ arms, and appears to a a good athlete on tape. He’s performed very well despite poor technique, which bodes well for his NFL future.

However, Niang was unable to participate at the NFL Combine due to surgery on a torn hip labrum which caused him to miss the final five games of 2019. It seems that teams are worried about his long-term durability and his stock is suffering because of it. We don’t know how Niang’s medicals checked out at the Combine, and teams are likely to be more wary because of the lack of in-person visits, meaning they are unable to verify Niang is recovering well.

If his health does check out, Niang is an instant starter at right tackle and has plenty of room to get better. If he does indeed fall to the fourth round or beyond, he will present an incredible value for one lucky team that is brave enough to take the injury risk on him. Niang is currently the 98th player on PFF’s 2020 Big Board, placing him right around the late third/early fourth round area.

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The Draft is set to kick off in about a month, so we’ll have to wait and see how teams view Niang’s injury situation, as well as others like Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. If he can stay healthy, Lucas Niang should be a long-time starter at RT.

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