I agree that this guy looks good for a 2nd and it is a position of need and a good swing tackle is always a plus. He is only 21 and his weaknesses are all things that can be coached.

A high pick for a swing player? I have to think about that.

Suamataia is my current prediction for who Gute will take, but at 25, not 41 or a trade down.

I love trade-downs, but I think Gute is more likely to have a crush on Kingsley; it's what he does. He has picked quite a few players in the first round who were predicted to be second-round picks. He doesn't want to lose "his guy."

K.S. is everything Gute loves: Young (21), high-RAS (9.35), long arms (34 1/4) and big hands (10 5/8) good score in broad jump (86%ile) or vertical ("explosion"), lineman, versatile (KS played both tackle positions), position of need now or in near-future, and "under-rated" due to injury or circumstances.

I posted this before comparing physical/athletic traits of Suamataia vs. the highest PFF rated NFL Olineman in Sewell and the Packers best lineman in Jenkins.

"Compare all the RAS scores (physical/athletic) of King Sua and Penei Sewell and Elgton Jenkins. Scary Identical. Jenkins was the lightest by about 15-20 lbs. Sewell the shortest arms. The rest very similar. Sua biggest weakness right now is experience."

Suamataia (9.42) Sewell (9.02) Jenkins (9.32)
Add to that Kingsley put up 31 on the bench at the combine. One more than JPJ with shorter arms. 34 1/4 vs. 32 1/4. Only two guys were higher and they had even shorter arms. That shows very good strength and is usually one area that rookies lack coming in.
Sua and Sewell are cousins and Sewell has taught and trained with him since junior high. His biggest weakness, from what I've seen, is technique. He loses balance at times and over extends. These are coachable things. It could take a year of experience, but I think his ceiling is one of the highest among Olinemen this year.

Kingsley Suamataia OT | BYU is a NO- @25.
He just has too much to Learn.
Too many OTs are projecting into Guards.
And King Sua will end up there too.
I say we can't WAIT.

The best OL for the packers is
Troy Fautanu. OT/IOL | Washington
Sure he might be a guard too.
But he's the best OL.
VERSATILITY CORY. - PERIOD.

I only slightly disagree with one thing you said, Cory. "most importantly, get better at the second-most important position in football." One for one maybe the QB is most important, but 5 to one the O-line HAS to be the most important, and the most important to the QB also.

We need to get better all across the line. Not necessarily different players. Just playing better together and earlier in the season. If you have a top 5 O-line, you have a chance for a top 5 QB and team. If you don't, you not only probably won't, you can't have a successful team.

Draft O-line early and often, then get some projects later too. O-line, ILB, S, RB, and CBs in the order when the best fall to them or they can trade around for.

Suamataia is a liability in the run game at this point. Yes, he’s got all the physical attributes they look for, though there is some question about his bend and foot speed. It’s probably not accidental that he avoided both the 3 cone and shuttle. I question his IOL capabilities as a result.

Sorry, but this is an athlete who has some questions for me as a football player. He’s certainly going to need work and a considerable amount with respect to run blocking.

For once I agree with Stockholder, just not a pick i’d make in the first round.

We are in the midst of the annual period where measurables seduce, but one has to look at things in context. Suamataia is not a guy I want to help us run the ball, and without Jones we need to get better not worse in that respect.

If you want versatility, I’d far rather go Barton. Yes he’s got short arms. I hate to tell you, so does Tom. His wingspan is a whole half inch greater than Barton’s. Why doesn’t that matter for Tom? Good technique helps, but the real reason is his great balance and incredibly fast feet.

That’s something one can’t say of Suamataia. One can say it of Barton, and Barton can play IOL now. I am not saying that Barton is the holy grail at 25, but if I’m going to take a versatile player, he’s streets ahead of Suamataia and upgrades our IOL options immediately as well as being a candidate to develop like Tom as a swing at least. For the RAS heads out there, Barton, despite being dinged for wingspan and height scores a near perfect, including agility and explosion.

Looking at a player and going “wow” in isolation is a great way to pick poorly. Suamataia in round one would be a classic example of doing just that without context of his weaknesses or competition.

Ideally, I see Barton as a round 2 prospect, partly because I see him as needing to add some strength, but if no shock fall occurs and we want to go OL at 25, I can’t see a better prospect to slightly reach for unless the team is willing to go for a pure IOL like Powers-Johnson. I doubt that the packers will in round one, but I’d be happy to see him at C or G. Like Barton, I think he’s a second rounder by rights too. I could see a trade back and trade up in the second to follow just as easily.

The article was about versatility, that ML covets. I guess Suamataia has table stakes versatility in that he has played T on the right and left side.

I believe the versatility looked for is a OL who can play outside and inside....T & G or C or all three like Tom and Jenks.

I don't see any advantage waiting until the 2nd round to relieve the young man of the "pressure" of being a first rounder. You really think this creeps into Gutey's calculus? No way...especially if the Packer personnel team agrees with you: "I watch Suamataia I see a guy that is hungry. A guy that wants to get better."

Waiting until early 2nd to get your guy could ensure he's gone.

I still like Barton more as he can cover all 5 spots and provides real versatility.

The Packers need interior linemen, little question there. Myers contract ends after next season and he could be gone. No one knows if Rhyan is the answer at guard. This is a draft loaded with good tackles, both left and right. Royce Newman?

But I smirk a bit at the clamor for tackles since Walker and Tom were the starters for a team that went into the playoffs last year. Did Jordan Love get sacked multiple times? No.

The abundance of tackles and history of drafting linemen leads me to believe draft pick 25(if they keep it) is going to go to a position of need first, or the best athlete available. You can get a really good lineman in the second or third round.

The first round pick should always be someone who can start right away if needed. Van Ness last year couldn't be denied the field for example.

I'm not buying the theory that the Packers "need' to draft on o-lineman first. Better a safety or linebacker.

I'd rather have Barton for his superb versatility, but if you want Barton it will cost you pick 25.

Suamataia is probably there at pick 41. I'm surprised that Suamataia's run blocking isn't better, but he is by no means a bad prospect.

I doubt that Gutekunst will spend his highest draft capital on an OT - who is currently not as versatile as advertised - due to his run blocking deficiencies. Especially with the addition of, and investment in, Josh Jacobs - which presumes a stronger run-blocking O-line.