The Pittsburgh Steelers have continued to expand their list of Top 30 visits, recently hosting Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims for a pre-draft visit. Mims has been frequently linked to the Steelers for several reasons, including their need for an offensive tackle and his projected draft range around pick 20 in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Steelers prioritize traits and athleticism in the early rounds of the draft, qualities that Mims possesses. As a result, he has been a popular choice in mock drafts as the Steelers’ potential first-round selection, second only to Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, according to the NFL Mock Draft Database.
With his visit and favorable fit, Mims could now be emerging as the frontrunner for the Steelers’ top pick in the first round of the draft.
Amarius Mims is Steelers most likely first-round draft option
Amarius Mims has achieved a notable milestone during the pre-draft process by becoming the first player to receive the “trifecta” of pre-draft visits from Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This journey began with a formal meeting at the 2024 NFL Combine, where Tomlin and Khan had an opportunity to engage with Mims. They continued their evaluation by meeting with him at his Pro Day, further solidifying their interest in the Georgia offensive tackle. Now, with the completion of a Top 30 in-house visit, the Steelers have concluded the pre-draft process with Mims.
The pre-draft “trifecta” of Pro Day meetings, Top 30 visits, and NFL Combine meetings has been a reliable indicator in predicting the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round pick in the past. This model has proven effective, and it appears that Amarius Mims is following a similar path to previous top picks.
In the previous year, Broderick Jones was one of only three players who fulfilled all three criteria, and the Steelers ended up selecting two of those three players in the first two rounds. This suggests that the Steelers place significant value on players who meet these requirements.
Amarius Mims possesses impressive physical traits that are likely to attract the Steelers. Standing at 6’7 3/4” and weighing 340 pounds, he boasts exceptional athleticism, a unique frame, and an 86 3/4” wingspan. The Steelers have previously shown interest in acquiring a similarly large offensive tackle, as demonstrated by their pursuit of Pro Bowler Orlando Brown Jr. in the previous offseason.
In many ways, Amarius Mims is reminiscent of the Broderick Jones situation from the previous draft. He checks all the same boxes and hails from a highly regarded college football program. While other potential candidates may emerge, competing with Mims for the Steelers’ 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, history suggests that he is a top priority for Pittsburgh. It is feasible to envision him being their top selection.
