As if Brett Veach needs any more browny points. The Kansas City Chiefs general manager went all out in the second round and drafted former five-star offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia as the 31st pick (63rd overall).
The Chiefs required quality depth in their offensive line, but they did not have a high draft pick to select the likes of Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu. Instead, Veach went for the next best player up for grabs, BYU’s Suamataia.
Three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes was jubilant with the selection. After NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the Chiefs were selecting Suamataia, Mahomes took to X (formerly Twitter) to shower praise on his GM.
I love Veach, man. Patrick Mahomes wrote
The 21-year-old transferred to BYU after spending one season with the Oregon Ducks. He was named second-team All-Big 12 in 2023. ,
Kingsley [Suamataia] is not just a terrific player with tremendous ability. [But also] a person, a great organization like the Chiefs, coach Andy Reid, and the fans in Kansas City will love on and off the field. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said in an interview shortly after the Draft
The college football news ranked him among the 30 best players in the Big 12 conference. Additionally, he received the 6th highest grade as an offensive tackle from Pro Football Focus.
What did Brett Veach say to Kingsley Suamatia before drafting him?
The Orem High graduate was projected to be a late second-rounder, but scouts and analysts were at odds about his final destination. The Chiefs were among the favorites, along with the Steelers and Bucs. Eventually, Suamatia got a call from Brett Veach.
A video surfaced from the Chiefs’ official X account that revealed how the draft went down. Head coach Andy Reid told Suamataia that they were going to put his name down in a moment and asked whether he was fired up.
Yes sir. I’m ready to work. Kingsley Suamataia replied
Then Veach took over the phone and said,
I wish you were here in the draft room with us. Coach Reid was sweating for like 10 picks because you know the two most important things to him are offensive linemen and BYU graduates. Brett Veach said
Props to the Chiefs for guaranteeing extra protection for Mahomes. Later, Suamataia spoke about what was going through his mind after finding out that he would be playing for the defending Super Bowl Champions.
I think I'm going to fit perfectly. I'm going to come in as a rookie and be ready to work, wherever the coach needs me. Suamataia said per KSL.com
Brett Veach quite possibly won day one by selecting the fastest receiver in the draft class, Xavier Worthy. Now, adding Suamataia not only increases the depth in the front lines but also provides him with the assurance of a quality player when the veterans finally step down.
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