The Green Bay Packers got BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia at No. 25 overall in Mel Kiper Jr.’s first mock draft of the 2024 draft cycle for ESPN.
Kiper called Suamataia a “mountain of a man” at offensive tackle and said the Packers could be one of the teams interested in taking advantage of a deep offensive tackle class this year.
According to Pro Football Focus, Suamataia gave up only 15 pressures and committed just four penalties over 11 games at left tackle in 2023. He earned the 16th highest pass-blocking grade among offensive tackles with at least 500 snaps played.
From Kiper:
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. David Bakhtiari has played just 25 games over the past four seasons because of knee issues, including one in 2023. The Packers can’t rely on him coming back.
The 6-foot-6 Suamataia started 23 games for the Cougars over the past two seasons, 12 at right tackle and 11 at left tackle. I love the potential he showed this past season when he gave up three sacks and only eight total pressures. He is a mountain of a man who can move to the second level and take on linebackers in the run game.
Suamataia earned higher overall grades — especially in the run game — while at right tackle in 2022.
The Packers got a standout season from starting right tackle Zach Tom, who looks like a long-term answer at either tackle spot. Rasheed Walker, a 2022 seventh-round pick, took over for David Bakhtiari at left tackle in Week 2 and improved greatly down the stretch, possibly lessening Green Bay’s need for an offensive tackle high in the 2024 draft. Bakhtiari’s future is in question, but Walker looks like a legitimate option to start at left tackle next season.
Still, protecting Jordan Love will be a primary focus for the Packers franchise for many years to come, and it’s possible a chance to take another high-upside offensive tackle option would make sense, especially if the Packers are fine with Tom moving to other positions.
Here’s more on Suamataia from Packers Wire’s Brennen Rupp:
A former five-star recruit and Oregon transfer gave up zero sacks during his first season at BYU while playing right tackle in 2022. This season he made the transition to left tackle and gave up one sack. The BYU tackle checks the boxes with his size, strength, and movement skills. It’s worth noting that the Senior Bowl listed him as a guard on their roster. My guess is the Packers would view him as a tackle but the versatility would be another box checked for Suamataia.
Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan came off the board one pick earlier (No. 24, Dallas Cowboys), while Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson went one pick after (No. 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) in Kiper’s mock. The Chicago Bears took USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall.
