Amarius Mims showed some insane growth in his second year as the Cincinnati Bengals' starting right tackle, and folks, it means 2026 could be absolutely massive for him. This dude made serious strides, improving from his rookie year to the point where an All-Pro season isn't just talk, it's a real possibility. He's coming back for his third season with the same exact offensive line coach who helped him make all those gains, plus all four other starting offensive linemen are returning too. That kind of stability is huge.
From Raw Talent to Game-Wrecker
Remember when the Bengals drafted Mims 17th overall in 2024? It felt like a bit of a gamble. The guy was a 5-star recruit out of high school who picked Georgia, but he only played 803 total snaps in college because of health stuff. He flashed dominance then, no doubt, but that's not a lot of game reps. Well, that risk is paying off big time. In his rookie year with Cincinnati, he actually played *more* snaps in one season than his entire college career, clocking in 835. He put up a 60.8 pass-block grade and a 52.6 run-block grade back then. But by 2025? Those numbers jumped to a 66.6 pass block and a 64.8 run block. And honestly, if you watched the film, it looked even better than those grades suggested.The Weeks 12-18 Surge That Changes Everything
The real eye-opener was the back half of the 2025 season. From Weeks 12-18, Mims earned an 81.0 overall Pro Football Focus grade. Think about that for a second. During that seven-week stretch, he allowed zero sacks, just one quarterback hit, and only 10 hurries. Zero sacks! That kind of performance, spread across an entire season, immediately puts you in the conversation for the best right tackles in football. He's got the size at 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds, he’s got the athleticism, and his football IQ is off the charts. It's not just hype, the dude has the tools. He's also going to have veteran Dalton Risner right beside him again, which should be a huge help. Risner settled in at right guard during the second half of 2025 after Mims had played with a few different options there earlier in the year. That continuity is key for an offensive line to truly gel. So, what does it all mean for 2026? Expect another huge jump. It would not be a bit surprising to see Amarius Mims not only make the Pro Bowl but also earn an All-Pro nod next season. He's entering his third year on that four-year, $15.3 million rookie deal, and the Bengals are definitely going to exercise that fifth-year option next offseason, keeping him from free agency until 2029. He's set up for something special.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.