On Friday night time, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs acquired former BYU offensive deal with Kingsley Suamataia with the 63rd total decide within the second spherical of the NFL Draft.
Initially ranked forty sixth on Arrowhead Pleasure’s consensus top-100 prospect rating, it was a shock that the 21-year-old deal with was nonetheless obtainable on the finish of the second spherical. The Chiefs even moved up one decide to make certain they may get him, as assistant normal supervisor Mike Borgonzi defined to reporters afterward.
“He was a man that we focused, really, out of this deal with group within the second spherical,” he famous. “There was a run on tackles there. I feel there have been 4 taken earlier than we picked. So we simply wished to ensure we made a small transfer. San Francisco had a necessity at deal with. That was actually the explanation why we traded up for him at that time.”
However as he met with reporters just about after his choice, Suamataia spoke like a person destined to land in Kansas Metropolis.
“Simply having the ability to discuss with coach [Andy] Reid,” he recalled of his pre-draft top-30 go to to the staff facility, “it simply felt like residence already; it felt like sitting at residence and chilling with one in every of my uncles. It was so chill; it was so enjoyable.
“However he mentioned, ‘You realize, we’ve obtained quite a lot of ties with BYU — and I’m attempting to get you right here.’ So from there, I already felt it round the entire facility [and when] assembly all of the coaches. It simply felt like residence.”
The sensation was mutual.
“He was one in every of our favourite guys we had in for a go to,” mentioned Borgonzi. “He’s only a good child. Very likable. He’s going to slot in the room. He’s obtained the BYU reference to coach Reid, in order that’s an enormous deal. He went by with the coaches. [They] put him on the board, and [he] did very nicely with all that stuff. So we felt snug with the individual — after which the soccer intelligence piece? That’s actually why we focused him.”
And there’s a cause that speaking about soccer with NFL coaches would really feel like residence. In highschool, Suamataia was a teammate of Los Angeles Rams broad receiver Nuka Pacua. He additionally has many family with ties to the NFL. They embrace three cousins who’re present gamers: deal with Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions plus linebackers Noah Sewell of the Chicago Bears and Nephi Sewell of the New Orleans Saints. His uncle Richard Brown spent eight years as an NFL center linebacker beginning within the late Eighties — and his uncle Issac Sopoaga performed as a defensive deal with for 10 seasons within the early 2000s.
“So it runs within the bloodline,” acknowledged Suamataia. “It runs deep. So I’m simply so grateful and blessed to be the following one up proper now.”
Nonetheless, even after listening to the tales from his household and pals about what it was wish to undergo the draft, there was nothing fairly like experiencing it himself.
“I by no means knew what all of the boys meant by that ‘ready interval’ till your telephone will get referred to as,” he defined. “It simply appears like you’ll be able to breathe once more. So I used to be simply ready round. My agent texted me and mentioned, ‘Hey! The Chiefs simply traded up.’ I checked out my telephone — and the following telephone name, I used to be like, ‘Oh, no means!’
“So I simply felt aid. [I was] simply crying loads — simply quite a lot of going again by reminiscences of all of the sacrifices everyone put in across the room — in my room that was right here on this convention room [with my family]. So there was quite a lot of emotion. However I’m so grateful and so able to be a Chief.”
He acknowledges that he’s stepping right into a particular state of affairs — but additionally believes he’s up for the job.
“Blocking for Patty Mahomes himself?” he marveled. “Oh, my! It’s mind-blowing. However I’m going to have to return in there and let him belief me — like, ‘I obtained you. No person’s gonna contact you. Even after we observe, no one’s touching you.’”
Borgonzi says the staff is satisfied Suamataia has the abilities to compete with second-year participant Wanya Morris to change into the beginning left deal with.
“You’ll be able to see the ft,” he noticed. “I imply, he’s 325 kilos — and he’s mild on his ft. That definitely jumps out whenever you see an enormous man who can transfer like that.
“Similar to all these guys popping out — particularly offensive linemen. It’s a lot method [and] hand use — simply consistency [with that]. I feel bringing him in will push Wanya — to deliver out one of the best in these guys. However definitely, the athleticism was an enormous piece for us — particularly with a man that massive.”
And Suamataia guarantees that he can be prepared for any problem he’s given.
“I feel I’m gonna match completely,” he mentioned. “I [will] are available as a rookie and prepare to work wherever coach [Andy] Heck wants me and [where] coach Andy wants me. I can play each methods — proper and left — so wherever they’ll match me in and prepare to work, I’m prepared to do no matter it takes to get that job.”
