Picking the best first round NFL Draft target for the Cincinnati Bengals after free agency
The month of April has arrived, indicating a shift in the NFL offseason from free agency to the NFL Draft. Six new veterans have joined the Cincinnati Bengals, and they all play positions of need. Safety, running back, tight end, defensive tackle, and offensive tackle have all been addressed in some capacity, though long-term needs […]
The month of April has arrived, indicating a shift in the NFL offseason from free agency to the NFL Draft.
Six new veterans have joined the Cincinnati Bengals, and they all play positions of need. Safety, running back, tight end, defensive tackle, and offensive tackle have all been addressed in some capacity, though long-term needs are still prevalent at a few important positions.
Right tackle is one of those spots in need of a long-term answer. The answer is Amarius Mims out of Georgia.
Bengals should have Georgia RT Amarius Mims in their sights
Fatigue usually sets in regarding certain narratives about the upcoming draft class, but the hype regarding this year's crop of offensive tackles hasn't subsided. The top prospects at the position have maintained their status as players worthy of the first round label.
Mims may end up better than all of them.
Still just 21 years old, Mims is very impressive on tape. He boasts the most impressive combination of size and athleticism out of every tackle coming into the NFL this year, and he does it all with quality awareness and hand usage. That's what makes him so unique.
Mims has only started eight career games at Georgia, and has logged just over 800 career snaps at the right tackle position.
"Technically, he's pretty far advanced for a guy who really hasn't played a ton of football." NFL Draft analyst Mike Renner stated on a recent episode of The Growler with Paul Dehner Jr. "So I think his ceiling could be as high as anyone else in this draft class is."
Mims' ceiling gets talked about plenty, but he's not unlike the consensus top tackles in regards to his immediate ability. He's already good enough to start very early in his career and doesn't need too much technical refinement. More experience would make him a better player, but he's already ready to go.
That's a major plus for the Bengals, who have Trent Brown under contract for just this season. Brown has a noted injury history, so having a ready-to-play backup behind him is of paramount importance for Cincinnati this season.
Why the Bengals are the perfect team to take on Mims' risks
The optimal draft choices are made with the future in mind more so than the present. Mims could help out in 2024, but his real impact will be felt in the years ahead. He also needs to get healthy first in order for his full potential to be realized.
Injuries are the main reason why Mims could fall to the Bengals' 18th overall pick in the first place. He missed several games in 2023 due to an ankle injury, and strained his hamstring during his workout at the NFL Scouting Combine after he showed off his incredible explosion and speed.
Having two starting tackles on the roster already gives Mims the time to continue developing his game, and building out his body to take on the NFL grind. He'll only be worth the investment if he consistently stays on the field for his career. That begins with getting his body right as soon as possible. The Bengals will provide him that chance this year.
We must also address the obvious parallel as well. Orlando Brown Jr. and Trent Brown are nearly identical in size to Mims. All three are 6-8 and at least 340 pounds. Those builds are rare, and this would give the Bengals an unprecedented three on the roster at the same position! If any team is comfortable with taking on this kind of outlier, it's Cincinnati.
Expect the Bengals to opt for preference over consensus when drafting an offensive tackle
There’s a clear first-round target for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Final word
Mims is more than just freakishly fast for his size, he's a well-rounded tackle prospect who'd be a lock for the top half of the first round if he played more and was injured less. His overall profile would make him a value—not a reach—for where the Bengals pick in the first round.
Though he does come with an obvious medical risk, Mims is one of the few prospects with a chance of making it to the 18th pick that would be a true difference maker for Cincinnati. The very best offensive tackles are taken as early as possible. If the Bengals want a true answer to the talented edge rushers they face in the AFC North, a player like Mims is their only hope.
Check out A to Z Sports' James Foster's full report on Mims and every other top prospect in our full big board below:
