Chiefs sign 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia

The BYU product is now under contract, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Suamataia will be tied to a four-year deal. Contracts at the back end of the second round do not carry the intrigue those at the front do, as changing guarantee structures have become part of the process associated with signing early-second-round picks. Suamataia went off the board 63rd overall.

Last season’s two Super Bowl entrants linked up on a trade that allowed the Chiefs to move up one spot for the recent Big 12 blocker. The 49ers picked up an additional fifth-rounder in the pick-swap exchange, one that saw the defending NFC champions move down one spot. 

While first-round pick Xavier Worthy will almost definitely play a key role as a rookie, Suamataia will be expected to mount a strong charge to replace Smith in 2024.

The Chiefs were connected to Suamataia before the draft, hosting him on a “30” visit. Viewed by most as a tier below the deep crop of first-round-level tackles in this class, the ex-Cougars starter will attempt to develop quickly to start as a rookie. 

While numerous members of this year’s rookie class used their additional years granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Suamataia did not and has not yet turned 22. This qualifies him as a somewhat raw prospect, though the 6-foot-5, 326-pound tackle did start in both his BYU seasons — after transferring from Oregon.

Suamataia will be pitted against 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris for the Chiefs’ LT job, one Smith held when healthy throughout last season. The longtime Buccaneers LT, who picked up a second Super Bowl ring last season, could conceivably be an insurance option for the Chiefs. 

It will be interesting to see if Smith lands elsewhere; that would solidify this Morris-Suamataia competition and create an experience void for a team that returns most of its starting lineup from Super Bowl LVIII. Morris started four games as a rookie.