Chiefs promising rookie has healthy balance of pros and cons in NFL debut

09-11-2024
2 min read
Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens to begin the 2024 NFL season. While the game came down to the final play, an incomplete pass from Lamar Jackson to Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone, it felt like the Chiefs suffocated Baltimore for the vast majority of the evening.

Kansas City had a pair of offensive rookies make their debuts in big roles. Receiver Xavier Worthy had two touchdowns, including one on his first touch on a reverse. The Chiefs also started rookie left tackle Kinglsey Suamataia out of BYU. The rookie beat out Wanya Morris for the job in preseason, and looked good in pass coverage in his first regular season game. 

Suamataia only allowed one pressure on 31 pass blocking snaps, per PFF, earning him a 61.4 pass blocking grade. However, the rookie struggled in the run game. He earned just a 37.3 run block grade.

The Chiefs can be excited about Suamataia consistently keeping Patrick Mahomes clean, but will need him to get better at opening lanes for Isiah Pacheco.