Bengals’ $15M tackle lands huge prediction

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Bengals’ $15M tackle lands huge prediction

Originally posted on CincinnatiBengalsCommunity
By Aaindri Thakuri | Last updated Jul 14, 2026 4:30 PM ET

Amarius Mims’ development has become one of the Cincinnati Bengals’ biggest reasons for optimism entering the 2026 season. The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. believes the young right tackle is ready to emerge as one of the NFL’s top right tackles.

After starting every game last season, Mims is now being projected as Cincinnati’s breakout player for 2026, with Dehner arguing the former first-round pick has developed into the anchor of the Bengals’ offensive line.

“The 6-7, 340-pound raw first-round pick out of Georgia in 2024 officially has matured. He looks ready to play at an All-Pro level this year.” Paul Dehner Jr noted. “He’s quickly become the anchor of an offensive line that’s far better than previous editions and has continuity next to him at right guard with Dalton Risner.”

The former first-round pick, who signed a four-year rookie contract worth roughly $15 million after being selected in 2024, is now expected to justify that investment with a breakout season.

According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, Amarius Mims had an incredible 2025 season for the Bengals. He started every game, playing 1,051 offensive snaps while committing just one penalty. Mims proved to be a dominant blocker, allowing only 35 pressures and four sacks all year.

He was especially dominant after quarterback Joe Burrow returned from a nine-game injury. Thanks to Mims and the rest of the line, the Bengals kept Burrow safe, even giving up zero sacks during a dominant December win against Miami.

Per Dehner Jr., this success should continue into 2026. The Bengals are bringing back all five starting offensive linemen, including guard Dalton Risner.

Brown’s confidence reflects the continuity surrounding Mims, who enters his third season alongside the same group of starters that helped stabilize Cincinnati’s pass protection in 2025.

How Cincinnati’s offensive line could help Amarius Mims break out

The Cincinnati Bengals are banking on continuity, returning all five starting offensive linemen: tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims, guards Dylan Fairchild and Dalton Risner, and center Ted Karras.

Joe Burrow has already expressed immense faith in the roster, calling it the best he has seen in years. However, Brown Jr. is taking that confidence a step further, claiming the unit is borderline elite. Speaking on the Locked On Bengals podcast (YouTube @LockedOnBengals), Brown Jr. issued a massive statement:

“I really think I say this confidently, I feel like we got the best pass-protection in the NFL,” Brown added. “There aren’t a lot of groups that I think could come do what we do on a week-to-week basis and have the success that we had.”

Last year’s individual stats show promise. Karras and Risner excelled, allowing minimal sacks. However, Brown Jr. struggled at times, giving up ten hits on Burrow.

Despite Brown’s confidence, ESPN’s pass-block win rate painted a less favorable picture, ranking Cincinnati 28th in the metric.

If Mims takes the leap Dehner expects, Cincinnati’s offensive line could finally become the strength the Bengals have spent years trying to build.

This article first appeared on CincinnatiBengalsCommunity and was syndicated with permission.

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