6-foot-5 blocker Pegged as the Chiefs’ potential ‘long-term solution’ at left tackle
Most journalists and pundits expect the Kansas City Chiefs to select a wide receiver in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Given the depth of the wide receiver position in this year’s draft, could it be more prudent to target a shallow left tackle market at selection No. 32? During an April 1 mock draft, Bleacher Report’s NFL scouting department used that approach, assigning BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia to the Chiefs as a potential Donovan Smith replacement.
“The Kansas City Chiefs should strive to find a long-term solution at left tackle,” Bleacher Report advised, citing recent history, which includes Orlando Brown Jr. and Smith as Patrick Mahomes’ newest blindside blockers since Eric Fisher.
“BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia gives the Chiefs a long-term solution for the first time since Eric Fisher left the squad four years ago,” the group of scouting experts continued, describing the 6-foot-5 prospect as a “very young blocker with unrefined, wild technique that saps some of his physical gifts.”
Despite the worries regarding his consistency and NFL readiness, B/R stated that “[Suamataia] is no doubt gifted with starter-level traits, and the Chiefs have one of the best line coaches in the NFL in Andy Heck to get the most out of him.”
Kingsley Suamataia Has Massive Potential At 21 Years Old.
There’s a lot to admire about Suamataia. First and foremost, he is a BYU alum, and Chiefs Kingdom understands how head coach Andy Reid feels about his former alma institution.
More notably, Suamataia, a previous “5-star tackle recruit” and team captain, is only 21 years old. He also possesses NFL ancestry (he is a cousin of Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell) and build.
“Thick, strapping build with evenly dispersed weight throughout his frame, good arm length, and big hands,” Bleacher Report’s Brandon Thorn scouted ahead of the offseason.
In summary, Thorn said at the time, “Suamataia has the physical tools of a starting tackle with an unrefined skill set that is built on flashes rather than proven consistency.” “However, he has time to hone his skills and close that gap in his first contract in an RPO/play-action based system that can help him progress gradually. He will only be 21 when he gets drafted.”
Although Suamataia “may struggle to handle NFL edge speed in pass protection,” NFL Network draft expert Lance Zierlein said that “he can redirect and mirror counters when he’s postured up and appears capable of dealing with bull rushers.”
With only ten collegiate starts at left tackle, there will be concerns wondering whether Suamataia, like 2023 draft pick Wanya Morris, is too raw to be an LT prospect. As a rookie, the ladder had trouble on the left side.
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