Chiefs build through the trenches with BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia in second round of the 2024 NFL draft

The results are officially in: With the 63rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs have selected BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia. The Chiefs traded up one spot with the San Francisco 49ers to ensure they got their guy. Kansas City gets No. 63 and No. 211 (sixth) from the Niners for 64 […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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The results are officially in: With the 63rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs have selected BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia. The Chiefs traded up one spot with the San Francisco 49ers to ensure they got their guy. Kansas City gets No. 63 and No. 211 (sixth) from the Niners for 64 and 173 (fifth). 

Everything to know about

A 21-year-old offensive tackle prospect from Andy Reid's alma mater Brigham Young, Suamataia is listed at 6-foot-6 and 326 pounds with 34 1/8-inch arms. He has over 1,200 snaps between left and right tackle over the past two seasons with 24 pressures and two sacks allowed during that span. 

Via A to Z Sport's Rob Gregson:

Strengths

  • Play Strength: Thick frame that generates force from his legs into his hips and upper body
  • Range: Meets the parameters for length and is a tall task to work around for edge rushers
  • Functional in the Run Game: Decent enough athleticism to be used in a zone scheme or put on a convoy

Areas of Improvement-Concerns

  • Tad Sluggish: Everything feels like it’s in slow motion. Takes a while for the mass to get going
  • Late Hands: Let’s defenders beat him after losing at the junction point
  • Reaction: Doesn’t possess the footspeed to mirror secondary moves and counters

This pick makes all the sense in the world for Kansas City as they build competition at left tackle

The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to find a long-term solution to this position during the Patrick Mahomes era. Eric Fisher protected his blind side for three seasons, but that’s about the most consistency they’ve had. They tried to figure it out with a trade to acquire Orlando Brown Jr. in 2021, but that went sideways after contract negotiations went awry. Last season, they used a platoon of Donovan Smith and Wanya Morris. Solidifying this spot long-term was necessary and the right move to keep the offense trending in the right direction.

Andy Reid and Brett Veach mentioned bringing in competition to compete with Wanya Morris for the starting left tackle job. Suamataia has experience at both left and right tackle, just as Morris does. The loser of the position battle is likely delegated to swing tackle duties in 2024. 

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