While the Jacksonville Jaguars will have other things to address in the offseason, there’s one clear position of need above all: offensive line.
Based off of Jacksonville’s draft position, they could have the opportunity to add a difference-making lineman to their lineup. And considering how often other teams got to quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars should pounce on the opportunity to beef up the offensive line.
The highly touted Joe Alt and Olumuyiwa Fashanu are likely to have been drafted already, but Jacksonville could see some of the second-tier options left on the board. If the Jaguars are swinging for the fences, Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims could be selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Strengths
Mims biggest strength is his physical profile. The 6’7, 340-pound big man would immediately step onto the field as one of the most impressive looking players on the field.
But Mims isn’t just big; he’s also an explosive athlete. His height, weight, and physical ability alone make him one of the most intriguing offensive line prospects.
He gets low and looks explosive in his stance, especially for someone his size. And his pass-blocking ability shows skill on top of his already impressive measurables. He’s solid at staying in front of his opponent, mainly because of his unreal length.
And while Mims may be susceptible to some finesse moves, it’s near impossible to go through him.
Weaknesses
While Mims shows promise in pass-blocking, he needs improvement in the run game. With his size, he should be able to erase defenders in the ground game.
However, he’s not as physical as he should be. He lacks drive, which could be fixed at the next level when he’s working with NFL defensive line coaches.
Mims could also use more polish when protecting the quarterback. He’s one of the most impressive athletes, but he could refine his footwork and technique and become a significantly better player.
But perhaps Mims’ biggest cause for concern is his lack of experience. He played in only seven games in 2023 due to injury and started only two games in 2022 when he stepped in due to injury for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Ohio State and the CFP National Championship against Texas Christian University.
He’s shown flashes in his limited time on the field, but he’s got very little experience playing at the collegiate level, and his technique often reflects this.
Game to watch: Georgia @ Tennessee (Nov. 18, 2023)
Amarius Mims and Tate Ratledge put the Tennessee defender in a blender. HE GOT HIS ROCK TOPPED😮💨 pic.twitter.com/WyGxDXvVJC
— 🚫 LEE Ring (@HBTFD1) November 19, 2023
Mims doesn’t have a large sample size of games, but his best came in Tennessee against the Volunteers. UT was likely his biggest challenge of the season, and he looked like a top-tier tackle.
He showcased his size and strength, never losing to a defensive lineman through power. The only lapses he had were a couple finesse moves or tricky rushes where he failed to pick up the man.
The highlight of that game for Mims was when he and Tate Ratledge combined forces and flipped a Tennessee rusher on his back.
Stats to know
Perhaps Mims’ most eye-catching stat was that he played only 682 snaps over the last two years. Some prospects may be three-year starters, but a stacked group of linemen ahead of him and injuries kept Mims off the field for much of his time at Georgia.
However, those 682 snaps showed real potential. Through two years, Mims gave up six hurries, only two in his junior campaign, and zero sacks.
He registered a 74.8 overall Pro Football Focus grade last season, achieving a 78.8 pass-blocking score and a 68.4 run-blocking score.
Why he could be the pick
Mims is likely to be picked in the back half of the first round, where the Jaguars will pick. And it’s clear that the offensive line will need some attention in the offseason.
There could be a number of tackles and guards to pick from, but Mims would be the attempt at a home-run pick. He’s one of the least polished protectors, but his athletic profile makes him a potential star on the edge.
He wouldn’t provide inside-outside versatility, so he would only be in play if Jacksonville is looking to add another tackle. That decision may come down to what the Jaguars decide to do with Cam Robinson and whether they believe Walker Little is a starter.
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that their 6’6 quarterback should have no trouble getting the ball over Mims’ frame.
