With the 18th overall pick (1st round) in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select OT Amarius Mims.
Mims was a highly regarded prospect thanks to his towering frame, long reach, and good athleticism relative to his size. He is a strong player with the ability to anchor against anyone when protecting the passer, and open up nice lanes when run blocking. His injury history is the biggest concern, along with his lack of playing experience that the injuries resulted in. From a gameplay standpoint, his hand technique needs more polish, and he will need to find a way to better handle inside counter moves.
The good news for the Bengals is that they signed Trent Brown in free agency to start in 2024. This will allow them to be patient with Mims while he develops.
No doubt, Mims is one of the best players in this draft, in terms of pure talent. While there are some things to clean up, he now has the chance to get that sorted out without the pressure of starting right away. His injury history makes me very nervous, but if healthy, he is someone that can make a huge impact on the Bengals offensive line.
For my full scouting report on Amarius Mims, click HERE
Modified Featured Image Via: Erik Drost (CC)