Almost every year, the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine provides an opportunity for athletic prospects to show off their skill sets and improve their NFL Draft positioning.
Look no further than Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims, who could be heading to America’s Team, according to one NFL insider.
NFL Insider Adam Caplan Has Cowboys Drafting OL Amarius Mims
With the No. 21 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, NFL insider Adam Caplan mocked Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys finished 12-5, first place in the NFC East. However, their season was cut short when they were shockingly upset on their home field against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. In that loss, Dak Prescott was sacked four times.
The 6’8″, 340-pound Mims impressed greatly at the NFL Combine, running an impressive 5.07-second 40-yard dash and a 9’3″ broad jump. At just 21 years old, Mims won two national championships with Georgia. He started seven games at right tackle for Georgia’s top-rated SEC offensive line in his final year.
The Cowboys currently have a vacant starting left tackle spot with Tyron Smith likely leaving in free agency. Additionally, tackle Chuma Edoga and center Tyler Biadasz are set to hit free agency. Drafting Mims with the 21st pick offers the Cowboys an immediate replacement on the offensive line and a long-term solution to protect Prescott.
Despite the shocking playoff upset, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys are sticking with Mike McCarthy, who will need to find a way to get more production out of the run game after an underwhelming season out of Tony Pollard.
The 30-year-old Prescott was sacked 39 times last season, which is his most since 2018 when he was sacked 56 times. They did not have their own first-round pick for that next season, as they traded it to the Oakland Raiders for Amari Cooper.
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In last year’s draft, the Cowboys addressed the trenches on the other side of the football by selecting Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith. While Jerry Jones always loves the flashy draft picks and might have a hard time passing up one of the many big-time wide receivers in this first round, Mims gives Prescott much-needed protection.
Caplan notes that drafting Mims allows the Cowboys to keep Tyler Smith inside at guard. He was considered Tyron Smith’s eventual replacement at left tackle, but he has played so well at guard that it probably makes more sense to just keep him on the inside.
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