by J.T. Toth
Photo courtesy of 247Sports.
At Draft 412, the NFL draft talk never ends. We will keep you ready for the next set of gridiron stars—from today and all the way until draft night 2024. We will bring you mock drafts, player profiles, individual team needs, and everything else you may need related to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Today’s Spotlight - BYU, Tackle, Kingsley Suamataia
Name- Kingsley Suamataia
Pos- Tackle
Team- BYU
HT/WT- 6’6” 315 lbs.
Born- 1/18/2003
Home – Orem, UT
Kingsley Suamataia was a 5-star recruit out of Orem High School in Utah. He was high school teammates with Rams' rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua and they helped lead Orem High School to four consecutive state championships. Suamataia was ranked as the No. 5 overall offensive tackle in the nation. He was named the 2020 5A MVP and he committed to Oregon over offers from just about every Division 1 school.
His time at Oregon was minimal, as he played in one game as a freshman and was redshirted. After the season, he entered the transfer portal and quickly decided to transfer to BYU.
In 2022 he started 12 out of 13 games for the Cougars and did not allow a sack in 361 pass blocking snaps. He was named Second Team All-Freshman All-American.
Suamataia entered 2023 on the Outland Trophy watch list and was a preseason All-Big 12 selection. He has started all 10 games for the Cougars and has catapulted himself into first round discussions with his technique and physical dominance.
Suamataia has the technique and footwork that all NFL offensive line coaches want in their left tackles. He has an abundance of length and heavy hands to keep defenders bottled up at the line of scrimmage. He has the agility to get to the second level and excels at hitting moving targets, using his length to instantly make an impact. Has a smooth transition into pass blocking with an effortless kick slide, and is one of the top pass protectors in this class. He is effective at pulling on sweeps and screens and takes pride in leading a convoy of blockers for ball carriers.
On the downside, Suamataia’s kryptonite may be speed rushers. This is when he will reach and become off balance, though most times he is able to push them outside the pocket. He may not have as much success with this aspect in the NFL as teams are loaded with speed off the edge. He is a better pass protector than he is a run blocker, as he tends to get overextended in run blocking and is more susceptible to defenders getting into his chest. His balance is also an issue when run blocking, as his techniques are not as pure as they are in pass blocking.
Suamataia’s pro comparison in Draft 412’s eyes is tackle Cam Robinson who was a 2nd round pick in 2017 out of Alabama. Robinson is an excellent pass blocker who is still figuring out the run game. Draft 412 thinks Suamataia steps right in and becomes a starting left tackle who will protect his quarterback’s blind side, but will struggle right off the bat with run blocking.
Strengths
Length
Pass blocking
2nd Level
Foot work
Weaknesses
Run blocking
Overreaching
Balance
Final Analysis
Kingsley Suamataia is now amongst the top 5 tackles in this class and could go late in round 1. Draft 412 is more comfortable giving him a 2nd round grade and thinks Suamataia will become an efficient left tackle in the league. His pass blocking techniques and handwork are as good as it gets in the class.
Draft 412 Draft Projection - Round 2