Breaking down the Bengals’ selection of Amarius Mims

Go big or go home.

With the 18th pick in Round 1, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Amarius Mims. This is a move that could look like a huge steal in a few years, as the Bengals were extremely lucky to get a player like Mims.

What are the Bengals getting in Mims?

At 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds, Mims is massive, but amazingly, his most impressive trait is his feet. He looks very light on his feet in pass protection and can make blocks in space in the run game. Mims shows a high level of processing, shorting out defensive line stunts with ease. In the run game, Mims shows a knack for climbing up to linebackers and making blocks on the second level.

With his senior season cut short by injury, Mims only started 8 games at Georgia but showed more than enough on film to warrant this selection. I firmly believe that had he played an entire season, he would have been the first tackle off the board. When all is said and done, Mims may be the best player in this draft, and the Bengals got him in the middle of the round.

What will Mims do for the Bengals?

With Trent and Orlando holding down the front in Brown County, there is no need to rush Mims onto the field. He will be the backup right tackle, with Trent Brown serving as both the starter and Orlando Brown’s backup on the left side. Expect to see Mims get early action as the sixth offensive lineman in the Bengals jumbo packages and eventually make a start when one of the vets is dinged up.

In Year 2, Mims will be the starting right tackle and dominate the trenches of the AFC North. Mims will develop into an All-Pro caliber player by the time his rookie contract is up.