Amarius Mims always possessed the physical traits to make every scout dream about his potential. A 6-foot-8, 350-pound man is not supposed to move as he does.

It makes scouts buy into All-Pro visions. It made the Bengals draft the offensive tackle with the 17th pick in 2024 despite only eight collegiate starts.

If his technique and recognition ever catch up to his traits and physicality, there’s no limit to the accolades.

Quietly, as the Bengals’ season spiraled into obscurity and headlines were dominated by Joe Burrow’s feelings and a beleaguered defense, Mims’ game has started to match his frame.

“He could be the best in the world at what he does, he really could,” offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said. “He’s making steps to move in that direction.”

Those are headlined by being great at what matters most in the Bengals’ organization: Keeping Burrow clean.

Burrow has dropped back to pass 223 times this season with Mims at right tackle. Never, not once, was he touched because of Mims, according to Pro Football Focus. That includes the first six quarters of the season, but more impressively, it’s been apparent during this five-game stretch since Burrow’s return. Mims blanked every pass rusher in front of him from putting a hand on the franchise quarterback, allowing only seven total pressures in the process, all per PFF.

Since Thanksgiving, Mims’ 98.1 efficiency rate ranks sixth among 55 qualifying offensive tackles.

“I have seen it, very pleased by it,” Pitcher said of Mims’ jump in effectiveness. “Makes me even more bullish on his future in this league and the kind of player I think he can be for a very long time.”

Burrow’s feel for the pocket and awareness of pressure make every offensive lineman look better. His presence also accentuated the notable progress from the 2024 first-round pick on the edge.

What’s apparent inside the building, however, goes far beyond any collection of stats. The last five weeks show a player growing into his body.

“Not to dismiss his football IQ going into the season, but I think that’s really grown, knowing what to anticipate,” coach Zac Taylor said. “Moves from players, how to come off in the run game. I just think he’s starting to take that next step of being able to anticipate before it actually happens.”

Amarius Mims has started all 16 games for the Bengals this season and will face off against the Week 1 opponent, the Browns, on Sunday in the finale. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

There’s a long list of those to thank for the progress, beyond the obvious, overarching credit to Mims himself. Stability with veteran Dalton Risner directly to his left helped with consistency in passing off stunts and twists.

Pitcher pointed to an otherwise anonymous play Sunday against the Cardinals, where a twist got past Risner and Mims, and he saw them immediately discussing the issue after the play. The problem never popped up again.