Mel Kiper Projects BYU Tackle Kingsley Suamataia in the First Round of the NFL Draft

In December, BYU left tackle Kingsley Suamataia declared for the NFL Draft. On Tuesday, Suamataia was projected to be a first-round pick by ESPN's Mel Kiper. Kiper projected Suamataia to be selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 25th overall pick.

"As I mentioned earlier, this is a talented tackle class, and so if Green Bay has a chance to get its blindside protector of the future, it should take it," Kiper wrote. Kiper described Suamataia as a "mountain of a man who can move to the second level and take on linebackers in the run game."

Suamataia, who transferred to BYU from Oregon before the 2022 season, started the last two years at offensive tackle for BYU. Suamataia started at right tackle in 2022 before moving to left tackle in 2023.

Suamataia will participate in the Senior Bowl in a few weeks. A good performance at the Senior Bowl could cement him as a first round pick.

Suamataia, a BYU team captain in 2023, will be the third consecutive BYU left tackle to be drafted. 2020 starter Brady Christensen was a third-round selection by the Carolina Panthers. Christensen has been a starter for the Panthers over the last several years. He suffered an injury in 2023 that kept him out of the lineup for the most of the season. 2021-2022 starter Blake Freeland was taken in the fifth round by the Indianapolis Colts. Freeland started the season as a backup in Indianapolis. After a few injuries, Freeland started a few games for the Colts.

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