BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia blocks defensive finish Isaiah Bagnah because the Cougars apply in Provo on Friday, March 17, 2023. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia prepares to cross block throughout spring apply on the indoor apply facility in Provo on March 10, 2023. Ryan Solar, Deseret Information
The 2023 NFL draft had barely wrapped up Saturday earlier than one other time-honored custom amongst media members — wanting ahead into the longer term — was nicely underway.
One type of that is available in way-too-early NFL mock drafts for the following yr, and on this case, it confirmed there could possibly be a BYU participant with first-round expertise within the 2024 draft class.
BYU offensive deal with Kingsley Suamataia appeared in a trio of 2024 way-too-early NFL mock drafts that had been revealed over the weekend, from 247 Sports activities, For The Win and Professional Soccer Focus.
What 2024 way-too-early NFL mock drafts mentioned about BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia
Of the three mock drafts, For the Win author Christian D’Andrea has Suamataia coming off the board the very best, projecting him to go No. 12 general to the New England Patriots.
“Invoice Belichick traded again from No. 14 so the Steelers may choose Broderick Jones. Taking Christian Gonzalez at No. 17 suggests offensive deal with will stay a low-key want by way of the following season — particularly with Trent Brown a pending free agent subsequent spring,” D’Andrea wrote.
“Suamataia is a space-clearing beast whose drive and energy within the run sport will make him a Belichick favourite early, although his cross blocking might want to enhance for him to be a Day 1 choose.”
247 Sports activities’ Allen Trieu additionally predicts Suamataia might be a prime 20 choose, going to the Denver Broncos at No. 18 general. If Suamataia ended up in Denver, he’d be a part of former Utah and Westlake Excessive offensive deal with Garett Bolles, who was the Broncos’ first-round choose in 2017.
“Fixing the offensive line is a precedence for the Broncos on this yr’s draft, however that venture is more likely to proceed into subsequent yr once they take Kingsley Suamataia. The previous Oregon Duck confirmed why he was so extremely rated as a highschool prospect after transferring to BYU,” Trieu wrote of the choice.
Professional Soccer Focus’ Max Chadwick has Suamataia projected decrease however nonetheless sneaking into the top of the primary spherical at No. 30 to the Buffalo Payments.
“A former five-star recruit in 2021, Suamataia transferred to BYU from Oregon this previous season and flashed his elite instruments at proper deal with. He earned a formidable 80.9 pass-blocking grade in 2022,” Chadwick wrote.
Why issues can change in way-too-early mock drafts
Suamataia’s first-round candidacy is hardly a slam dunk — he wasn’t talked about in two different way-too-early mock drafts revealed by USA At this time and The Draft Community.
Plus, because the title suggests, most of the ends in these way-too-early mock drafts can find yourself being untimely since so many variables can change from participant to participant with almost a full yr till the following draft happens.
Final yr, for instance, 4 Utah ties had been being projected as potential first-round draft picks within the fast aftermath of the 2022 NFL draft.
They included Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III, BYU and Herriman Excessive offensive deal with Blake Freeland, East Excessive alum Siaki Ika (a defensive deal with at Baylor) and Orem Excessive alum Noah Sewell (an inside linebacker at Oregon).
All 4 gamers ended up being taken within the 2023 draft, simply not within the first spherical.
Ika was a late third-round choice by the Cleveland Browns, Freeland was an early fourth-round choose by the Indianapolis Colts, Phillips was taken later within the fourth spherical by the Atlanta Falcons and Sewell went within the fifth spherical to the Chicago Bears.
The one Utah tie who did find yourself being a first-round choose this yr, in the meantime, was a participant who wasn’t even being talked about in way-too-early mock drafts presently final yr.
Utah tight finish Dalton Kincaid ended up going No. 25 general on this yr’s NFL draft to the Buffalo Payments, after main the Utes throughout the 2022 season in receptions (70), receiving yards (890) and receiving touchdowns (eight).
One nationwide media member, The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman, did have the foresight to see what Kincaid may change into, itemizing him final Could as an “different title to recollect” at tight finish for the 2023 NFL draft, behind Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, who went 12 picks after Kincaid and was a second-round draft choice.
BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia prepares to cross block throughout spring apply on the indoor apply facility in Provo on March 10, 2023.
Ryan Solar, Deseret Information
What are Kingsley Suamataia’s plans for the longer term?
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Suamataia might be a redshirt sophomore on BYU’s offensive line this yr, and is taking up for Freeland at left deal with after beginning 12 video games at proper deal with for the Cougars throughout the 2022 season and by no means allowed a sack.
He transferred to BYU after one season at Oregon and performed his first season as a Cougar final yr. He was a five-star recruit by 247 Sports activities and Rivals popping out of Orem Excessive.
Suamataia advised the Deseret Information’ Jay Drew final month that he could think about turning professional after the 2023 season.
“I undoubtedly need to play within the NFL,” Suamataia mentioned. “That could be a no-brainer. So nevertheless this season goes (would be the figuring out issue), however I'm actually wanting ahead to it. It's not a lot to comply with different individuals’s footsteps, however taking my very own path and seeing what most closely fits me and my household.”
If Suamataia finally ends up a first-round choice in subsequent yr’s draft, it will be a uncommon first-round choice for BYU over the previous quarter-century however good timing, with this system becoming a member of the Large 12 Convention this summer time.
Because the flip of the century, the Cougars have had three first-round draft picks.
In 2021, quarterback Zach Wilson turned the very best BYU participant ever drafted when he went No. 2 general to the New York Jets.
In 2013, edge rusher Ezekiel Ansah went No. 5 general to the Detroit Lions.
And in 2000, linebacker Rob Morris went No. 28 general to the Indianapolis Colts.
If Suamataia finally ends up leaving BYU after the 2023 season and finally ends up getting drafted, he could be the third Cougar offensive deal with taken within the draft in a four-year span, becoming a member of Freeland and Brady Christensen, a third-round choice by the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
“As a lot of a freak as Blake was on the NFL mix and every part, Kingsley is tremendous athletic and in loads of methods extra (athletic) than Blake, in some situations. So we haven’t misplaced something there,” BYU offensive line coach Darrell Funk advised Drew.