2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Amarius Mims

Mims participated in every test at the NFL Combine except for bench press and agility testing. He boasts elite size and length with good enough explosive traits and above-average speed, resulting in an unofficial Relative Athletic Score of 9.50 out of 10. That number can still change as official 10-yard split numbers are released and pro-day testing occurs. I should note that Mims strained his hamstring while running the 40-yard dash and elected to sit out the rest of the drills. Georgia's pro day is scheduled for March 13.

Background

Coming out of Beckley County High School in Cochran, Georgia, Amarius Mims was the No. 3 offensive tackle prospect in the country with a five-star rating, per 247Sports. Mims had scholarship offers from several Power Five schools, including Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Penn State before committing to Georgia.

He started eight of his 30 games played for the Bulldogs. Mims totaled 803 snaps, all at the right tackle position, during his college career. According to PFF, Mims allowed one pressure and zero sacks across 168 pass-blocking snaps in 2023. He allowed four pressures and zero sacks on 196 pass-blocking snaps in 2022.

Mims has never played more than 385 snaps in a single season, only accumulating 197 snaps in 2023 due to tightrope ankle surgery that cost him six games. Among 328 FBS tackles to play at least 250 snaps in 2023, Mims had the 30th-best overall PFF grade, the 81st-best run-blocking grade, and the 29th-best pass-blocking grade.

Strengths

• A walking, breathing anchor
• A human being in an alien frame
• Massive, powerful, and long
• Has some of the most dominant pass protection reps I've ever seen from a college offensive tackle
• Uses soul-crushing power in his upper and lower half to stifle defenders
• Absorbs power like a sponge, stonewalling rushers
• Punch freezes rushers in their tracks
• Incredible length changes the math
• Technique and preparedness drastically improved from 2022 to 2023
• Impressive explosion out of stance in pass sets
• Uses length and wide frame extremely well to run rushers up the pocket

Weaknesses

• Still very raw
• Has only played 803 snaps with eight starts in three years of college football
• Lower-body injury history at 340 lbs
• Has only played RT at the collegiate level
• Tends to overset outside and play on his heels, leaving his inside shoulder vulnerable to inside moves with limited short-area quickness to recover
• Pad level will always be tall, but it hasn't caused major problems so far
• Lumbering mover to the second level and in space despite impressive testing
• Struggles to grip and sustain as a run blocker
• Could find himself injured often if he can't learn to win with hands and feet rather than physical talent

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Amarius Mims

Coming into this week, I had watched roughly 50 snaps of Mims, and that sample didn't paint a pretty picture. I saw a massive player who looked lost on the field. Then, when I got my hands on some of his 2023 tape, I was shocked at the dominance I was seeing. Our team has given Mims a top-50 grade to this point, and I'd be surprised if he got out of the first round.

Mims' improvement from 2022 to 2023 is notably impressive. The things that stand out about his game are the extreme power, natural anchor, and impressive ability to absorb bull rushes instantly. Combined with his wide frame and superior length, it's difficult to not get excited about his future.

In the words of Michael Jordan, Mims' ceiling is the roof. He has the size, elite traits, and an outstanding set of tools to work with. Meanwhile, his floor is that of a developmental backup who needs time to settle into the pro game. Ultimately, I see his most likely outcome as being similar to Leonard Davis or Cam Robinson.

To reach his ceiling, Mims must continue to grow his run-blocking technique and improve his hand speed to keep defenders out of his chest. If he can't improve on the fundamentals of the game, injuries will likely be the result. He can only lean on his gifts for so long before his body starts to break down. At 340 pounds, he's putting a lot of pressure on his joints for tons of snaps per game. Injury prevention will be key for him to capitalize on his upside.

Mims could be a solid fit for any team as a developmental swing tackle. He's best suited for an inside zone-run or duo scheme that leans more heavily into interior blocking concepts. The Chicago Bears will likely run a more lateral zone run scheme. But Mims seems likely to go in the top 50 picks, if not the first round. I'm not sure that the Bears will have capital in that range that they'll be willing to spend on a developmental swing tackle.

Other teams will see Mims as the answer to their starting tackle position. But I don't see Mims entering the 2024 season better than Darnell Wright, and it'd be unwise to ask him to move to the left side just to unseat Braxton Jones. For that reason, I don't see the Bears valuing Mims as much as other teams.

Pro Comp: Cam Robinson

Next Up: Ja'Lynn Polk