Patriots draft profile: Kingsley Suamataia would be a long-term investment at offensive tackle

Suamataia could develop into a starter opposite Michael Onwenu.

With the departures of Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown in consecutive offseasons, left tackle is now a glaring weakness along the New England Patriots’ offensive line. Finding someone to fill it is important, especially with the high likelihood of a rookie starting at quarterback who needs to be protected.

Could Kingsley Suamataia, the young offensive tackle prospect from BYU, be the right man for the job?

Hard facts

Name: Kingsley Suamataia

Position: Offensive tackle

School: BYU

Opening day age: 21 (1/18/2003)

Measurements: 6’4 5/8”, 326 lbs, 34 1/4” arm length, 10 5/8” hand size, 5.04s 40-yard dash, 28” vertical jump, 9’2” broad jump, 31 bench press reps, 9.38 Relative Athletic Score

Experience

Career statistics: 24 games (23 starts) | 1,342 offensive snaps; 655 at left tackle, 687 at right tackle | 2 sacks allowed, 24 pressures allowed, 10 penalties

Accolades: All-Big 12 Team Second Team (2023), Outland Trophy watch list (2023), Second Team Freshman All-American (2022)

After playing just one game at Oregon as a redshirt freshman in 2021, Kingsley Suamataia (Soo-uh-mah-tah-ee-uh) transferred back home to BYU for the 2022 season. The former five-star and top-50 recruit took his talents to Provo, where he became a starter at right tackle as a redshirt freshman.

Suamataia started 12 games in 2022 and allowed no sacks in 361 pass block snaps. PFF gave him an offensive grade of 75.8 for his performance, including an 80.9 mark as a pass blocker.

For his redshirt sophomore season, Suamataia switched to left tackle. He earned All-Big 12 honors in the role, allowing just two sacks on 381 pass block snaps and earning a pass block grade of 86.1 according to PFF.

Now, Suamataia will look to follow in the footsteps of his cousin Penei Sewell by entering the 2024 NFL Draft.

Draft profile

Expected round: 2 | Consensus big board: No. 42 | Patriots meeting: Top-30 Visit

Strengths: Kingsley Suamataia checks basically every box you want in terms of profile for an NFL offensive tackle. He has the height, arm length, and mobility you expect from a starter at the position. He has NFL pedigree with Penei Sewell in his family. And he has experience as a starter from a young age on both ends of the line.

As a pass blocker, Suamataia flashes incredible hand usage throughout his tape. He is patient with them, and when he does get his hands on you, it’s over. With his long arms, good hands, and strong anchor, getting by him in college was a rare feat.

Suamataia also has the mobility to get out in space and be a nightmare for opposing defenders. In an outside zone blocking scheme, he could be a force at the second level with the proper development.

Weaknesses: Everything that Suamataia does well, he needs to do more consistently and at a better tempo.

While Suamataia’s patience with his hands can be a good thing, he is also guilty too often of letting defenders get into his chest to dictate the matchup. He can keep his hands too wide in his set and leave his chest exposed as well.

Suamataia can be slow to react as a blocker in space as well. He often seems confused and acts timidly when he gets to the second level, where he seems unsure of his assignments. When he does know who to block, he can get caught off balance, lunging forward over his feet to make contact with defenders.

Give the state of BYU’s offensive line, it is hard to tell if Suamataia was poorly coached or if he simply processes the game too slowly. In either event, he needs to react quicker and with more polished technique at the next level.

Patriots preview

What would be his role? Suamataia would likely be a swing tackle in year one with the goal of developing him into a starter by Year 2.

What is his growth potential? Suamataia is young with incredible athleticism. He has all of the athletic tools to be a franchise left tackle in the NFL.

Does he have positional versatility? Suamataia looked comfortable at both left and right tackle in college, and he could be developed at either spot in the NFL. He was better as a pass blocker on the left side and as a run blocker on the right side.

Why the Patriots? New England badly needs a franchise left tackle, and Suamataia could be exactly the project for Scott Peters to work on as a developmental player at the position. His upside as a pass blocker on the blind side makes him especially appealing as a long-term investment to protect a young and developing quarterback.

Why not the Patriots? If the Patriots are hoping for a Day 1 starter on the left side to protect a quarterback taken in the first round, Suamataia may not be their guy. Unless he sees incredible growth in his first training camp, he likely isn’t going to be ready for the bright lights right away. In addition, his issues with consistency at the second level or on the backside of outside zone plays may make Alex Van Pelt skeptical of his fit in the offense.

One-sentence verdict: Drafting Kingsley Suamataia is a bet on your offensive line coach, as his mix of athleticism and inconsistency makes him a prospect with a low floor and a high ceiling who could be taken anywhere on Day 2 of the draft.

What do you think about Kingsley Suamataia as a potential Patriots target? Could he be a great addition to New England’s offensive line? Or would other players be a better fit? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.