What should the Kansas City Chiefs expect from their rookies in year one?
By Price Carter
Round 2, Pick 63: Kingsley Suamataia, OT
Last year, the Chiefs brought in Wanya Morris as a third-round pick. He was the projected right tackle for about three days until Donovan Smith was signed. Smith will be a litmus test for the Chiefs opinion about Suamataia year 1. If the Chiefs are confident enough to let him and Wanya Morris battle it out for the left tackle job, there's a chance he could be the most impactful player drafted in 2024. If he wins the left tackle job out of camp, protecting Mahomes' blindside is the most important role a rookie could ask for.
Round 4, Pick 131: Jared Wiley, TE
Jared Wiley comes into K.C. as a plus athlete at tight end. He is a strong blocker at the collegiate level which will be his path for playing time early. With the injury to Jody Fortson and the age of Blake Bell the Chiefs struggled to pass out of 13 personnel all 2023. Wiley will be a big upgrade as a receiver over Bell. Wiley is not a nuanced route runner at this point but that is expected with a college tight end.
The Chiefs signed Irv Smith Jr. this off-season, Wiley will be directly competing with him for a roster spot and playing time. The Chiefs have kept 4 tight ends in the past, and if they like Wiley and Smith enough they could keep both. Wiley might be able to spell Travis Kelce at times as he is explosive enough to be a YAC threat.
Wiley's production for 2024 probably won't raise eyebrows. Expect similar things as Jody Fortson in 2022. Wiley is a developmental player who will factor into replacing Noah Gray and (sadly) one day Travis Kelce.