Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
As it stands right now, the Green Bay Packers may have their future starting left and right tackles. Rasheed Walker showed that he’s more than capable of protecting the blind side of Jordan Love, while Zach Tom developed into one of the best right tackles in the league.
The depth behind those two is lacking, which is why it wouldn’t be surprising to see Brian Gutekunst get his hands on one of the top offensive tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft.
A player that Gutekunst could target with the 25th or 41st overall pick is Kingsley Suamataia. The BYU offensive linemen checks in at No. 81 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A five-star recruit out of Utah, Suamataia started his collegiate career as a member of the Oregon Ducks. After one year in Eugene, Suamataia transferred to BYU. During his first year at BYU, Suamataia started 12 games at right tackle. This past season, he moved to the left side and started 11 games at left tackle.
“Suamataia was a huge part of the BYU offense in 2023, partly because some of the other guys struggled mightily in BYU’s first season in the Big 12,” Jay Drew, a BYU reporter for the Deseret News, said. “Suamataia battled through some nagging injuries and was the rock of the offensive line. The Cougars won just five games, but this unit — led by Suamataia — did a nice job protecting quarterbacks Kedon Slovis and Jake Retzlaff.”
Suamataia, the cousin of Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell, moves like a tight end. The 6-4, 329-pound offensive lineman was No. 3 on Bruce Feldman’s Annual Freak’s List.
“Suamataia is a freak athletically,” Drew said. “For a big man, he moves extremely well. He runs fast. It will be interesting to see what kind of 40 time he clocks at the NFL Combine, and at BYU’s Pro Day — assuming he chooses to run the 40.”
From Feldman:
“Coaches have always been great resources for this project over the years. That said, it’s been awhile since I stared at a response as long as I did the one I received from BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick this month.
“Kingsley Suamataia is the most athletic and violent OL I’ve ever coached. More athletic than Garett Bolles when I was at Utah. More athletic than Blake Freeland,” he wrote.
The 6-6, 325-pound Suamataia didn’t allow a sack last season, a run of 361 pass plays.
“Kingsley is off the charts,” BYU sports scientist Skyler Mayne says. “He’s faster than our linebackers. He’s just a Freak in the weight room. What makes it look different from Blake is that Kingsley just makes it look a little more effortless. Blake was a better jumper, but Kingsley was our fastest lineman by a good bit.”
According to Mayne, Suamataia hit 21.5 MPH last year as a 318-pound freshman. That’s good for a 218-pounder, much less an athlete 100 pounds more than that.”
The former five-star recruit has quick feet and the lateral mobility to slide and cut off outside speed. He uses his length to keep edge rushers at bay and plays with good knee bend. He’s strong as a bull and can stonewall against power. Over the past two seasons at BYU, Suamataia has given up two sacks, both against Texas this past season and 26 pressures.
“He’s big, he’s strong, and he’s got excellent feet,” Drew said. “He moves his feet as well as any BYU offensive lineman I’ve covered in 15 seasons. I don’t remember the sacks he was said to have given up, but I’d be surprised if he was beaten one-on-one. It also should be noted that the aforementioned Slovis was not the most mobile quarterback in the country last year. He had good pocket presence, but he didn’t have the escapability a quarterback needs to help out his offensive linemen.
Suamataia is a fluid mover as a run blocker and shows good range. He keeps his feet moving at contact to create movement and delivers a jolt upon contact.
Fit with the Packers
As it stands right now the Packers need to find a swing tackle. With his experience playing both tackle spots and the potential to possibly kick inside to guard, Suamataia could be an attractive target early in the upcoming draft.
“I would draft Kingsley because he’s not only a dynamite offensive lineman, he’s a fantastic person,” Drew said. “He works hard, uplifts his teammates, and takes accountability for his shortcomings. He will have a lengthy NFL career because he combines unreal athleticism with a solid work ethic and outstanding character.”
The BYU offensive lineman checks all the boxes with his size, strength and movement skills. On top of that, he has the potential to kick inside to guard and he’s only 21 years old. He’s a big ball of clay waiting to be molded.
Protecting Jordan Love is the mission and while Walker played well down the stretch, he did have his fair share of hiccups. Adding competition to that room would be wise. Adding a player with all the tools that Suamataia possesses is a no-brainer. He has all the tools to develop into a franchise left tackle. Landing in a place like Green Bay where he could potentially sit for a year would do wonders for his development.
