Another Offensive Tackle Prospect Has Top-30 Visit With Cleveland

Former BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia was at the Browns' practice facility for a pre-draft visit on Wednesday. The Browns are scheduled to meet with several offensive linemen prior to the draft.

Oct 21, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia (78) / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns are proving that they are taking offensive line depth serious this offseason. It makes sense due to the recent history with injuries and the offensive line roster construction questions that will begin circulating about 2025.

As Cleveland searches for a backup left tackle with the potential to take the starting job in 2025, Suamataia likely catches the attention of Cleveland for several reasons. The main reason being that he offers versatility to align on either the right or left side of the offensive line.

Suamataia does have some elite physical traits and shows quickness off the snap. He displays plenty of range in the run game and keeps solid balance when absorbing contact in pass protection.

The major knock on the former BYU offensive tackle is the fact that his slower processing skills result in him missing blocks against elusive edge rushers. Unless that aspect significantly improves, it is hard to vouch for placing him at a spot protecting your starting quarterback's blindside. He would be better suited at right tackle but Cleveland should be set with Dawand Jones unless they try to switch Jones to the left side.

Suamataia is my 16th ranked offensive tackle prospect in this class and will likely be selected somewhere between the late second round to fourth round.

His ceiling may best compare to former Browns offensive tackle Kendall Lamm. Lamm has spent the majority of his nine year NFL career as a backup. In that time, he does have 37 starts, including eight last season with the Miami Dolphins. Suamataia could follow a similar trajectory as a backup who gets starts when filling in for injured teammates.

Other offensive tackle prospects like Patrick Paul or Kiran Amegadjie are probably better fits for the Browns, but if Suamataia makes it to the fourth round then maybe Cleveland would consider trading up into the fourth. The value would be hard to pass up in this type of scenario.