4 teams that could steal Amarius Mims from the Steelers in the 2024 NFL Draft

In the first round of the NFL Draft, most front offices try to find the sweet spot where the value lines up with the need. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, all signs are pointing to offensive tackle with the 20th overall pick.

From very early in the pre-draft process, the Steelers have had their eye on Amarius Mims. There is a division over the polarizing prospect due to his lack of snaps and nagging injuries in college, but the traits and upside are phenomenal and the tape is good when he has been on the field.

Mims would be an ideal pairing with his former teammate Broderick Jones, as his presence would allow Jones to slide back over to left tackle.

Unfortunately, the Steelers will hardly be the only team picking in the middle of the first round that will be interested in his services. Here are four teams who could steal Amarius Mims away from Pittsburgh before the Steelers are on the clock at pick 20 in the 2024 NFL Draft.

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Pick 18

There have been whispers around the Bengals community that Amarius Mims will be the pick for Cincinnati with the 18th selection if Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is off the board. Considering Bowers' over/under is much higher than where they are slated to pick, there probably isn't a good chance the dynamic tight end falls this far.

If Mims really is the backup plan, this could mean that the Steelers would have to jump up several spots to leapfrog the Bengals if they are sold on Mims. Otherwise, get ready to deal with him in the division twice a year. His power and length in pass protection could even give T.J. Watt fits.

2. New Orleans Saints: Pick 14

While the 14th overall pick in the NFL Draft might seem rich for a player who barely has college playing experience, the Saints have a big need at offensive tackle, and they could be willing to bet on Mims' traits.

In 2022, New Orleans took a gamble on an old OT prospect from a small school in Trevor Penning, but that experiment didn't work out and he was benched after just five starts in the 2023 season. While Ryan Ramczyk is one of the better tackles in the business, he is 30 years old and there is no other tackle on the roster they can count on.

The Saints are picking high enough that they may prefer another offensive tackle over Mims, but he's not out of the question to go this high in the draft.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Pick 17

Jacksonville's offensive tackle situation has been interesting. They've spent resources at the position, but Jawaan Taylor departed in free agency last year after signing a lucrative contract with the Chiefs, and they were forced to take Anton Harrison in the first round last year.

With Harrison and Cam Robinson as their starters, this duo looks strong enough on paper, but Robinson turns 29 this season and is on the last year of his contract (as is backup OT Walker Little). The Jaguars may want to find a more long-term solution to pair with Harrison, and Amarius Mims will be enticing with the 17th pick in the draft.

4. Los Angeles Rams: Pick 19

The Rams could go in a number of directions with their first-round pick as they have needs at cornerback, edge defender, linebacker, and defensive tackle. Though most of their pressing needs come on the defensive side of the football, they could be a surprise team to take an offensive tackle in Round 1.

Rob Havenstein is one of the best right tackles in the business, but he turns 32 years old shortly after the NFL Draft. Alaric Jackson has done a serviceable job at left tackle over the past season-and-a-half, but he's entering the final year of his rookie contract and he doesn't have a lot of traits to work with.

Because of the Rams' success with mammoth offensive tackles (Havenstein and former All-Pro Andrew Whitworth), they could ignore defense in Round 1 and keep their offense a strength by taking Amarius Mims.