Amarius Mims started just eight games in his college career, but the talented offensive tackle has a high enough ceiling that the Cincinnati Bengals selected him with pick No. 18 in the 2024 NFL Draft. In drafting Mims, the Bengals committed to improving protection for franchise quarterback Joe Burrow for years to come.
One of the freakiest athletes in the draft, the 6-foot-7, 340-pound Mims is an insanely gifted mover at his size, with a ton of room to grow. He moves around like a tight end — a fast one — at 340 pounds (with 36 1/8-inch arms and massive 11 3/8-inch hands) and has the foot speed and agility to mirror athletic rushers off the corner.
He’s also a powerhouse with a punch who can knock defenders off their feet in a single blow. Despite his giant frame, Mims plays with good bend and maintains balance throughout both his run and pass pro reps.
The issues are two-fold: experience and health. Mims, 21, only played right tackle in his eight Georgia starts, and he missed six games in 2023 with an ankle injury that required tightrope surgery. He could be a phenom in time, but he might not be ready to start this coming season.
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‘The Beast’ breakdown
Mims ranked No. 19 on Dane Brugler’s Top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“Overall, Mims isn’t as far along fundamentally (especially in the run game) as other tackles in the class, but he is a natural in pass protection with above-average length, footwork and body twitch to handle different types of edge rushers. Though there is projection involved with his draft grade, his best football is ahead of him, and he has the talent to become a long-term starter at left or right tackle.”
Coaching intel
What two anonymous coaches had to say about Mims in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft:
“Awesome athlete. Makes a ton of plays. There are times when he doesn’t diagnose it well, but he can cover well, and he will light guys up.”
“He’s like a freak of nature. Massive but very athletic. Has good feet but he’s so high-cut, he struggles with guys that can bend because he’s a little stiff-hipped.”
Why he’s a first-round pick
Some players have a few traits coaches cannot teach. Mims is filled with them. Everything about his frame and athletic profile is elite. He just needs to learn how to be a pro tackle now.
OT Amarius Mims, Georgia (r-Soph):
6-7, 330; reported 85-inch wingspan pic.twitter.com/zZRAcqxunK— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) July 30, 2023
Come back shortly for more analysis of the Mims pick.
(Photo: Brandon Sloter / Getty Images)
