Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia will protect Patrick Mahomes' blind side as the starting left tackle against the Baltimore Ravens in Thursday's 2024 regular-season opener. Suamataia is capable of taking full advantage of this opportunity. Expect him to start establishing himself as a long-term solution at a position that's experienced turnover in recent years.
The No. 63 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Suamataia entered training camp in a position battle with sophomore blocker Wanya Morris. Morris dealt with several injuries throughout camp and later exited the Chiefs’ final preseason game with a knee injury. If Suamataia plays well versus the Ravens, he’ll help ensure Morris doesn’t receive an opportunity to make this a competition again.
Suamataia is an extremely athletic offensive tackle with the size, length, and power required to develop into a high-end blindside blocker in Kansas City's explosive offense. The former BYU standout was credited with allowing just two sacks and eight quarterback hits in two seasons as a starter. He consistently improved as a Cougar, working his way into the top-64 conversation in the 2024 draft.
The 6-foot-5, 326-pound Suamataia possesses excellent power at the point of attack as a run blocker. His mauling style displaces defenders and should quickly endear itself to Chiefs' starting running back Isiah Pacheco. Suamataia possesses nearly 11-inch hands and utilizes those massive mitts to latch onto defenders to sustain blocks through the whistle. Short-area burst and outstanding lateral movement skills allow the big-bodied lineman to reach his landmarks and climb to the second level.
Suamataia typically holds the advantage in pass protection due to athleticism and length. Arms longer than 34 inches make it difficult for pass rushers to win the arc. Suamataia is explosive out of his pass-game sets and swiftly gets good depth. The Orem, Utah native displays the ability to mirror defenders in pass pro.
All of those abilities were showcased throughout the preseason. Suamataia played in Kansas City's first two exhibition games. He was treated like a starter for the finale, joining Mahomes and Co. on the bench.
Kingsley Suamataia - 82.8 pass-blocking grade in the preseason
— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) August 27, 2024
Highest among all rookie OTs 💪 pic.twitter.com/e3bWM4b7Fm
Suamataia played 30 total offensive snaps during the preseason, including 24 in Week 2. The second-round rookie blocker did not allow any sacks and was credited with forfeiting just one quarterback pressure via 22 pass-pro snaps. Pro Football Focus assigned Suamataia an elite grade of 82.8 in pass protection. He was whistled for one penalty.
The Ravens should pose a challenge to Suamataia's readiness on Thursday. Although they've undergone sweeping personnel and coaching changes on that side of the ball this offseason, Baltimore's defense recorded a league-leading 60 sacks last year. Suamataia will face rushers like Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo.
The Chiefs started veteran blocker Donovan Smith at left tackle last season after trading Orlando Brown. Smith proved to be a temporary solution. Drafting Suamataia carries the potential to solve the position once and for all. Suamataia should enjoy a fruitful debut in a big spot versus the Ravens on Thursday.
