The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking over all of their options at the 2024 NFL Combine. During the offensive line portion, the team heavily favored the offensive tackles over the centers. They opted to have formal meetings with the tackles at the combine, among many other positions outside of the offensive line. When it came to the physical part of the combine, the Steelers were shown an immediate red flag, and who knows how much that red flag can impact their draft board.
Mackenzie Miles / UGA Sports Communications
University of Georgia's Amarius Mims is a top tackle prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Steelers have shown lots of interest in him.
After running the 40-yard dash, Amarius Mims had trouble completing the rest of his drills due to a hamstring injury. His portion of the combine did end early because of it, although the severity of the injury is unknown. He will most likely need to have some testing done on his hamstring, but hopefully for him, it won't be much of an issue throughout the rest of the offseason, including his pro day.
Georgia OT Amarius Mims just told me he’s dealing with a right hamstring injury. He doesn’t know how severe it is. He wants to continue testing and competing at the combine. But he’s got ice on the hamstring now.
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 3, 2024
Mims has had a history of injuries during his short tenure in college, but they were mostly ankle injuries. The hamstring injury is a first for him. That should be a good sign at least, as his hamstring has not had too much wear-and-tear just yet.
Mims wanted to continue his combine drills, especially after posting a 5.07 second 40-yard dash, but he just had to rest it and make sure to not re-aggravate it.
At nearly 6'8" and 340 lbs, a 5.07u is insane. Wow, @amarius_mims 😳
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2024
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The Steelers have been all over players from the Georgia Bulldogs as of late, and it's believed that they want to go back to that well to reunite Mims with his college teammate, Broderick Jones. The hamstring issue could potentially throw a wrench in their plans. However, the situation could also potentially help the Steelers land Mims anyways.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has a tough act to follow after a stellar 2023 NFL Draft.
How Would Steelers Be Impacted By Mims' Hamstring Injury?
If the injury is nothing significant, then Mims will have another chance to prove himself during Georgia's Pro Day. From there, the Steelers can get a first-hand look at all of his physical traits and see if they want him at pick 20 or not. They had to trade up for Jones in 2023, so if Mims does jump on everyone's draft boards, the Steelers might be willing to do it again.
If the injury turns out to be significant, he could fall in the draft. How far he falls will likely depend on how severe the injury is. The Steelers managed to get Darnell Washington at the end of the third round in 2023, so they are clearly willing to wait on their guy if those red flags do pop up again. There are still many questions that can be answered between now and Mims' pro day, as well as now and draft day.
USA Today
The Steelers have taken many Georgia players in recent drafts, including two of them in 2023. Could they go for more?
If Mims does fall in the draft, the Steelers could draft him during Day 2 of the draft and address another position of need in the first round. While they will likely address many of those positions in free agency, the Steelers are going into the offseason with needs all over the team. They could wait on Mims and draft a franchise center, cornerback, or just go for BPA (best player available).
What do you think about Amarius Mims' hamstring injury? How much will it affect his draft stock? Let us know in the comments.
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