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The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Next up is TCU offensive tackle Lucas Niang:
What he can do
– Top heavy but otherwise looks the part of an NFL offensive tackle. 6-6, 315, with a wingspan over 83″. Incredible length
– Pass-blocking ability and discipline show in the raw numbers. Didn’t give up a single sack over three years and 27 starts, per PFF. Only penalized three times, too. Allowed just five quarterback hits and 25 total hurries despite playing almost 1,000 pass-blocking snaps
– Length and agility combine to erase pass rushers without a plan
– Surprisingly nimble when moving in space, even in the run game. Could be a fit in the zone run scheme. Moves well laterally
– Looked much better in 2018 than in 2019. He’d be in the conversation for the first round had he carried over 2018 form and avoided major injury in 2019
– Can play the finesse and power game. More than capable of moving big people as a run-blocker. Strong, wants to be physical with defenders
– Competitive fire burns hot
– Balance needs to get figured out. NFL edge rushers will take advantage of leaning tendencies. Everything goes back to iffy footwork from snap to snap. Overall, technique in pass protection is inconsistent, but he almost always got the job done
– Handles the stunt game with ease, not easily confused by games up front. Awareness on the edge is high
– Needs work in traditional pass sets. Could become a dominant pro pass-blocker with the right teaching early in career
– Can recover and mirror late in the rep
– Played only right tackle at TCU
– Held his own against Ohio State edge rusher Nick Bosa and Chase Young in 2018
– Recovering from torn hip labrum surgery that ended his 2019 season. Red flag. Difficult injury to recover from. Teams may remove him from boards or drop him significantly due to inability to re-test medicals
How he fits
The right tackle of the future, and possibly the present. If healthy, Niang is talented enough to compete to start right away. The Packers signed Ricky Wagner to a two-year deal, but he’s going to be a placeholder for whichever offensive tackle the team takes in this year’s draft. Niang has some red flags in his draft profile, but he’s ridiculously long and nimble on his feet, with a high ceiling as a pass protector and as a run blocker in the zone run game at the next level. Giving him a year to get his body right and re-learn pass sets in the pro game could be the best path forward. He has immense potential and projects as a long-term starter at right tackle.
NFL comp
Size is easily comparable to Saints tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Ironically, both had hip surgery to correct torn labrum to end college career. Niang isn’t as polished overall as Ramczyk, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he follows in his footsteps and becomes at least an above-average starter at right tackle in the NFL.
Where Packers could get him
Almost certainly on Day 2, although there’s a possibility Niang could fall to Day 3 due to his medical red flag. Taking him any time after the third round would probably be a tremendous value for the Packers. If the medicals check out, he could be a second- or third-round pick. Niang has starting-level ability at a premium position.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson
IOL Cesar Ruiz
DB Ashtyn Davis
WR Quez Watkins
OT Ben Bartch
IOL Matt Hennessy
WR Isaiah Coulter
RB J.K. Dobbins