One bold prediction for Bengals No. 18 overall pick Amarius Mims in 2024 NFL season

Protecting Joe Burrow was the top priority for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2024 NFL Draft.  They did that by selecting Georgia product Amarius Mims with the No. 18 overall pick in the draft.  The powerful, athletic tackle is valued as the long-term solution at tackle for the Bengals.

As one of the top tackles in the draft, Mims joins the tandem of Orlando Brown Jr. and Trent Brown in a trio of tackles that should have Burrow feeling protected from both tackle positions.  With measurables that are off the chart, including an 86.7-inch wingspan to go along with his 6-foot-8, 340-pound frame, Mims exhibits power, agility and a balance of quickness in protecting the quarterback and as an overall blocker anchoring the offensive line.

With veterans ahead of him like both Trent and Orlando Brown, he should get an opportunity ease into a larger role as the season moves forward (no pun intended). The only reason he is not a Day 1 starter is because he is raw as a run blocker and still has room for growth as far as his overall skillset.  That’s kind of scary if you think about how he has already dominated at the position in his one year starting at the University of Georgia.

What the Cincinnati Bengals could have in Amarius Mims

Simply put, the Bengals have their left tackle of the future.  Again, with the addition of Trent Brown, there is no rush for Mims to be the future now, but he has former Bengals legend and NFL Hall-of-Famer Anthony Munoz believing throw camp that he can start immediately.

"From what I've seen, I've been to three practices. I would be 100 percent comfortable having No. 71 at the right tackle protecting Joe Burrow," Munoz told a local FOX station prior to the team’s first preseason game. "What I've seen has been amazing for a man that big. The way he moves, the way he's able to dip. But the most important thing that I've noticed for a rookie offensive lineman is the patience he has in pass pro."

Those are big words from a player who knows the position and has dominated at the position during his days in the NFL.  Though this would be a great development for Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher and Burrow, easing Mims into the role will probably be a greater impact for the player and team in the long run.

Bold prediction for the 2024 NFL season

This contradicts easing Mims into the starting role, but his comfort at right tackle will earn him the job over Trent Brown.  He’ll be the future left tackle once Orlando Brown calls it quits, but Mims will prove to be one of the Bengals best five when it comes to the offensive line along with Orlando, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa and Cordell Volson.  The line will give Burrow the best protection he has had over the last few years.  Where Mims will show great improvement as the season goes forward is his run blocking. 

With the Bengals inserting more balance in their offensive attack with the running back duo of Zach Moss and Chase Brown, Mims will play a big role in opening holes for the run game to flourish.  He will also get more reps at left tackle by the middle of the season due to injury.