In its latest analysis, Sports Illustrated has identified “the five 2024 NFL Draft picks most likely to fail in the AFC.” SI spotlighted Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Amarius Mims, who was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 18th overall pick, rating him as potentially the biggest bust in this class. Mims’ physical attributes are definitely impressive, with his height standing at 6’8″ and weight at 340 lbs. His game tape shows that he is a force in both pass protection and run blocking. He often overwhelms edge defenders with ease.
Despite these strengths, Mims’ college career raises some serious red flags that could impact his transition to the NFL. One of his most significant concerns is his limited experience. Mims started just eight games in college. Additionally, his injury history poses additional risks and calls into question his ability to withstand the rigors of a full NFL season.
At the 2024 combine, Mim’s athleticism scores ranked as the 16th best among offensive tackles tested.
The Bengals view Mims as a high-risk, high-reward player as they struggle to provide quarterback Joe Burrow with a consistent offensive line. They’re betting on his ability to not only stay healthy, but develop into an All-Pro talent. Considering the challenges Burrow faced in pass protection, Cincinnati’s decision to draft Mims is understandable, but fraught with potential pitfalls.
NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks and Lance Zierlein liked Mims’ size, athleticism and high growth rate, noting that the only concern would be injuries.
If Amarius can overcome his past health problems and quickly adapt to the professional level, he could strengthen the team’s attack and contribute to improved performance. However, concerns highlighted by Sports Illustrated suggest that the path will not be easy and that Mims may indeed struggle to live up to the high expectations placed on him.
