3 Chiefs Players Who Will Be Rookie of the Year Candidates in 2020

The Kansas City Chiefs are undeniably a potential dynasty in the making. Led by 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes, KC took home a Super Bowl last season, and are looking to build off of that championship in 2020 and become the first team to repeat since the 2004-05 Patriots.

The 2020 NFL Draft was fairly eventful for the Chiefs, as they used their picks to bolster their running game and defense. These three Chiefs rookies look ready to explode and contend for the Rookie of the Year award this season.

3. OT Lucas Niang

Lucas Niang blocking for TCU / Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Lucas Niang fell to the No. 96 overall pick after missing the last five games of his collegiate career and the combine while recovering from hip surgery. If Niang comes back healthy, he has the opportunity to get plenty of playing time for Kansas City. Niang literally never gave up a sack at TCU. If he carries that protecting talent over to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and stands out as a mauler in the run game, Niang has the opportunity to grab plenty of attention, Quenton Nelson-style.

2. LB Willie Gay Jr.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay Jr. at the NFL Combine / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Willie Gay Jr. is one of the largest question marks from the 2020 NFL Draft. His combine performance was stellar; a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and a 139.5 inch vertical puts him second amongst 2020 linebackers in each category. He fell to No. 63 in the draft after missing eight games on suspension due to academic cheating and a brawl with his quarterback. If Gay Jr. can stay on the field, he's sure to impress.

1. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire on LSU / Alika Jenner/Getty Images

The Chiefs were the first team to draft a running back in the 2020 NFL Draft, taking Clyde Edwards-Helaire out of LSU with the No. 32 overall pick. Edwards-Helaire will be competing with Damien Williams for touches, but the Chiefs will likely be giving the young option plenty of opportunities throughout the season after investing their first-round pick in him. Edwards-Helaire has all the strength, agility, and awareness of a future star running back. He's the odds-on favorite for Offensive ROY honors, and with good reason.