Who is Kansas City draft pick Kingsley Suamataia, comparisons, college records

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The Kansas City Chiefs backed up their headline-stealing first-round pick Xavier Worthy with the crucial addition of Kingsley Suamataia.

Discover more about the BYU rookie’s Combine performances and analysts’ expectations right here.

Position

Kingsley Suamataia is a Samoan offensive tackle who will serve as protection for Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs went into the NFL Draft with a wide receiver and tackle being positions of necessity.

Suamataia’s addition plugs a crucial gap on the offensive line and can learn from the winning culture in Missouri.

Draft pick number

Brett Veach and the front office managed to tempt their recent Super Bowl LVIII opponents the San Francisco 49ers into a trade.

The Chiefs jumped up a spot from #64 in the second round to #63 to secure their project offensive lineman. Kansas City were willing to trade up for Suamataia highlighting their confidence in his talent.

Combine results

The 21-year-old entered the NFL Draft with a combined Next Gen Stats score of 79 which ranked him 8^th amongst offensive tackles.

Standing at six-foot-five and weighing in at 326 pounds meant he ran an impressive 5.04 seconds in his 40-yard dash. He has raw power and the tackle managed 31 reps on the 225-pound bench press.

Comparisons

According to his NFL scouting profile, Suamataia has been compared to the Seattle Seahawks Abraham Lucas.

The NFC tackle was a 2022 draft pick in round three and had a solid foundation with all the traits needed to become a solid starter in the league.

Despite the lengthy injury in Week 1 of 2023, Lucas has played and started 22 games. He has played in every game when available, so the Chiefs will be hopeful that Suamataia can have a similar production.

Strengths

Suamataia has a thick frame which is complemented by a long hand length of 34 ¼ inches to keep pass rushers at a distance.

He uses his body and power to his advantage, halting the momentum of the defensive edge threat.

Although his performances are not spectacular, they are solid which gives Andy Reid a foundation to work from.

College record

The Chiefs’ new tackle was redshirted in his first year at Oregon and only played one game before transferring.

In November 2021, Suamataia moved to Bringham Young University. During his freshman year, he started all 12 games and did not allow a sack.

He was named in the Freshman All-American Second-Team.

Prospects/predictions

As mentioned, Suamataia has all the traits to make a successful tackle in the NFL.

Suggestions have been he could be the second string at left tackle and rival sophomore Wanya Morris creating healthy competition.

Moreover, he has the chance to earn a starting role in training camp and could start on the opening day of the 2024 season.

Reid and Veach love the value in Suamataia, so they hope to have found another superstar talent.