Amarius Mims opened his third NFL season with the type of performance the Cincinnati Bengals have been waiting to see from their 2024 first-round pick.
Center Ted Karras believes the 6-foot-8 right tackle is headed toward an even bigger distinction.
“By the end of the season,” Karras told Bengals.com, “I predict he’s RT1 in the league.”
The prediction followed a dominant Week 1 showing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to Bengals.com, citing Pro Football Focus, Mims didn't allow a pressure on 38 pass-blocking snaps in Cincinnati’s 33-27 victory.
Mims’ development has been a focus for a Bengals offensive line that needs to keep Joe Burrow clean. Offensive line coach Scott Peters told Bengals.com that Mims made strides with his hand usage
during the offseason, an area the former Georgia standout has worked to sharpen as his experience grows.
His next assignment presents a fresh challenge.
The Bengals travel to Houston on Sunday, where Mims is expected to deal with Texans edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Peters praised Hunter’s hand usage and highlighted Anderson’s combination of power and explosiveness while discussing the matchup.
A consecutive sturdy performance against that tandem would give Mims an shot to support Karras’ lofty prediction while bolstering Cincinnati’s protection around Burrow.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Ted Karras predicts Bengals player will be NFL's best this season
