Fewer than three weeks after Hali was picked in the first round of the draft, he was running with the No. 1 defense on Friday when the Chiefs started mandatory minicamp.

Hali’s quick ascension, of course, had a lot to do with the fact that veteran defensive end Eric Hicks didn’t practice. Hicks had shoulder surgery this winter and will watch Hali, an All-American from Penn State, play on the first unit this weekend.

“I’m right on schedule,” Hicks said. “I’ll be back in time for training camp.”

He’ll have plenty of competition when he returns. Chiefs vice president for player personnel Bill Kuharich compared Hali’s motor to Pro Bowl tackle La’Roi Glover, who signed with the St. Louis Rams in the offseason.

“He looked as described,” Kuharich said after Hali arrived. “I’m not into instant evaluation. With offensive and defensive linemen, the whole thing is pads. So ask me the same question 10 days into minicamp.”