OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens will look to boost their offensive line by selecting Georgia tackle Amarius Mims with the 30th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, according to NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah.
“The Ravens have grown accustomed to seeing really talented players fall into their lap,” Jeremiah said. “Snagging Mims at No. 30 would qualify as another example of this.”
Mims is expected to go much higher in other mock drafts, but Jeremiah has him falling to the Ravens because four quarterbacks — Caleb Williams (USC) Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), and J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) — could be taken in the first round.
While the Ravens adhere to the philosophy of taking the best player available in the draft regardless of position, Mims also satisfies a huge need.
The Ravens need to rebuild most of the offensive line with both starting guards —Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson — and backup center Sam Mustipher among 22 players eligible for free agency.
There are also questions surrounding other positions.
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, 29, and right tackle Morgan Moses, 32, were rotated with backups Patrick Mekari and Daniel Faalele because of health and durability concerns.
Moses is eligible for free agency in 2025, and he will have a base salary of $5,5 million next season and a $6.96 million cap hit, according to spotrac.com. If the Ravens decide to part ways with Moses, Mekari, who will make a base salary of $4.6 million, could move into the starting role before being eligible for free agency in 2025.
Stanley has two years left on his deal that pays him an $11 million base salary in 2024 and $16 million in 2025. He would cost the Ravens almost $18 million if they cut him before June 1st. General manager Eric DeCosta expects Stanley to be part of the team next season.
At 6 feet 7, 340 pounds, Mims has the size and strength to play effectively in the NFL. He allowed one pressure and no sacks in more than 150 pass-blocking plays this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information
Mims is ranked No. 5 in a talented tackle class by ESPN NFL Draft insider Mel Kiper Jr. He could play a vital role in protecting the Ravens’ greatest asset — quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“It is very rare to see him clearly beaten by a rusher, and he has the recovery talent to do something about it when it happens. Mims has more development to go, but he’s a Day 1 prospect with the traits and talent to be considered at either tackle position,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said. “He has a high ceiling, but questions due to his lack of experience could temper early expectations.”