Film review: Why Kingsley Suamataia has every trait to be the Chiefs long-term left tackle

Kingsley Suamataia was Kansas City’s second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

With the 63rd pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected left tackle Kingsley Suamataia from BYU. The Chiefs moved up one spot with the San Francisco 49ers, trading a fifth-round pick (173) while also getting back a sixth-round pick (211). According to the Rich Hill trade chart, this is equivalent to the Chiefs giving up a mid-sixth to move up one spot.

With Suamataia, the Chiefs finally solve their long-term left tackle issue they haven’t solved since Eric Fisher tore his Achilles in the Super Bowl. It’s been a long road, with the Chiefs trading for Orlando Brown Jr., not extending him, and then revolving between Donovan Smith and Wanya Morris last season. It was a priority for the organization to solve the position long-term this offseason. With Suamataia, they have the prospect with every trait to be that left tackle for the future.

Here’s what you need to know about Suamataia;

Background

Coming out of Utah, Suamataia was one of the highest recruits in the country. Suamataia was a five-star recruit who was top-35 overall and the sixth offensive tackle in his class, which included J.C. Latham and Amarius Mims. Suamataia had offers from big schools across the country, Suamataia chose to follow in the footsteps of his cousin, All-Pro right tackle Penai Sewell, and commit to Oregon.

Suamataia only played for one year in Oregon, appearing in one game and redshirting before entering the transfer portal in 2022. Suamataia decided to return closer to home and enroll at BYU. Suamataia’s high school teammate, Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua, was a big part of the recruiting process. Suamataia had a successful two-season starting at left tackle at BYU, including making the All-Big 12 second-team in 2023.

Suamataia showed out at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. At the combine, Suamataia is shorter than most tackles at 6’4 5/8 (15th percentile) but at an impressive 326 lbs. (80th percentile) with 34 1/4” arms (58th) and 82 1/8” wingspan (54th). Suamataia only performed in the jumps, putting up a 28” vertical jump (46th) and 110” broad (82nd). Suamataia did run the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, putting up an impressive 5.04 40-yard dash with a 1.74 10-yard split.

Film review

Suamataia is a bundle of every trait that Andy Reid likes in a left tackle. First, his size stands out. Suamataia’s length and width are the basis of his game. His width makes it hard to get around, cutting off short angles around the corner. Suamataia also uses his length well, keeping guys out of his chest who try to attack him with power. Suamataia is well-built at 326 lbs. and has an elite anchor. Suamataia likes to show his chest and absorb power. Since he’s bigger than most defensive ends he faces, he knows they have no chance of moving him back into the pocket.

Suamataia’s grip strength is also impressive, having hands of steel that latch onto defenders. Once he gets into your frame, good luck getting him off. He utilizes a “snatch/trap” move well, getting his arms on top of defensive ends and throwing them to the ground. He has the hand strength to knock players completely off balance with this move.

In space, Suamataia looks like a player that is 226 lbs. His speed and range at that size are truly special. Suamataia can latch onto blocks 15-20 yards downfield and is a massive weapon in the screen game. He’s looking to knock opponents off their feet when he reaches full speed, but he’s fluid enough to alter his angles and make his presence felt.

Suamataia was mainly a zone blocker at BYU and a very good one at that. He’s strong enough to widen a frontside defensive end trying to set an edge and even shows good recognition to slingshot defensive ends upfield who try to win with penetration. He’s also fast enough to reach linebackers on the backside of zone plays or cave a backside defensive tackle, clearing massive cutback lanes for a running back.

Suamataia isn’t just a zone blocker, however. He is good at pulling and can be utilized in gap runs, and his power and strength allow him to have a side of a line of scrimmage, clearing a path for pullers to come around.

While I’m incredibly high on Suamataia as a prospect, I’m not sure he’s ready to start Year 1. While he shows every trait you would ever want from a left tackle, he’s incredibly raw. Suamataia’s hand placement and pass sets need a lot of work. He’ll flash moments where you see those skills, but they’re inconsistent. He frequently oversets, losing on the inside shoulder. He often gives up a short corner by not getting enough depth and opening his hips enough. Suamataia can be a bit lazy with his hands, just using his chest and letting a defensive end dictate the path he goes. His hands get wide and outside the frame, which will cause NFL defensive ends to draw a lot of holdings in the NFL.

Still, there were flashes. I thought he showed more growth in these areas throughout the season. He started incorporating more independent hands and vertical sets, demonstrating the ability to strain and recover inside and cut off a corner with his hands. Suamataia would open his hips more in his pass set, cutting off the corner and using his frame to take on power. He’s a young player without a ton of experience, but I thought he got better as the season progressed in these areas.

The bottom line

Now, the question with Suamataia is whether he can start immediately. Candidly, my answer was no when I watched him predraft.

I think a lot of work needs to be done with his game, and for a rookie transitioning to the NFL, it will be a lot of work getting him up to speed. He’s no longer facing 240-pound edge rushers like in the Big 12. Against elite edge rushers in the NFL, some of his bad habits are going to matter more.

And yet, I couldn’t care less. Regardless of whether it’s him surprising and winning the job, Wanya Morris starting at left tackle, or another veteran being brought in, this is a future play. Suamataia, with a good offensive line coach like Andy Heck, makes me incredibly optimistic about his future. Heck will clean up most of the mess in his game, and with his supreme blend of size and athleticism, there’s nothing he can’t achieve on a football field.

I wanted Suamataia at No. 32. The fact the Chiefs got him at 63 is ridiculous. I think Suamataia has a true Pro Bowl upside. He’s only 21 and figures to be the long-term left tackle for Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs have spent years trying to resolve that post-Eric Fisher, and with Suamataia, I feel confident in saying they finally found that guy.

Grade: A+