If he can keep away from failed drug tests and not be a suspension waiting to happen.

Yeah, I’m not banking on this guy figuring it out now.

Talented, yes, but I’ll pass.

They didn't draft him as a guard.

Veach said they wanted to start him out on the inside and work from there. They saw him as a developmental prospect and with Fisher and Schwartz entrenched at the time, it made sense.

Niang gave Chase Young his toughest battle in his college career. Straight from Young’s mouth and supported by tape.

All that needs said. He’s a high-end OT prospect that only got taken in round 3 because of a surgery.

I really wish we knew if they took him as Fishers eventual replacement or Schwartz.

Why does it even matter? I'm sure the Chiefs knew they were only going to be able to extend one of them, so they drafted a guy with upside. At this point, I'd see how he does at LT, because if he's a fit there, its like they won the lottery.

I could be wrong but at the time Niang was drafted I think the plan was likely to move away from LDT after this season and slide Niang into that RG spot. After the 2021/2022 season perhaps move away from Schwartz and push Niang out to RT? We will never know obviously with the LDT opt out and Schwartz injury.

But when the line kicked it’s blocking up a notch, we destroyed them in the 4th quarter.

I think this is a false narrative, unfortunately. Hitchens was improved, but still wasn’t a good linebacker this year. I think he’s below average still and his replacement should be drafted. Soon.

That’s coming from a Hawkeye fan that advocated for signing Hitchens before he was a free agent leaving Dallas.
They redid Schwartz’ deal a couple times the last few years for short term extensions. I think they knew his back was beginning to have problems and so did Mitchell. I won’t be surprised if he drops a bunch of weight after he retires to help the back issues.

The team has never not showed full commitment to Eric Fisher up till this point, but this injury and his age may cheange that. We’ll see. A smart long term move would be to draft a center and an OT early in the draft to give Pat a STUD OL he can work behind to lessen the amounts of hits he takes.

They will add up and he’s already fought through a few injuries we got lucky on. If they spent a 2+3 on the OL, this has a chance to be a special OL.

They have no business drafting LB's for anything other than depth. Hitchens is just fine for what this team needs.

They're not going to draft a center and a tackle high, especially not with Fisher's situation.

You'll probably see one or the other but not both.

Agreed. I’m sure we’ll take one for depth and STs. If a first round talent falls to us and is the BPA, then I’d be all for it though.

Absolutely no need to reach for one.

Very few LB's are ever first round talents, even the ones taken in the first round.

It's just not worth the draft capital unless you're in the top 10-15 and getting a rare prospect.

Petro was talking today about the Chiefs flipping a mid round pick for Ertz. I didn’t hear the whole conversation, so I’m not sure if there is any smoke or just throwing ideas out.