Pre-2023 NFL Draft, former Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims was described in his scouting report as a wide receiver who can “accelerate instantly” by Pro Football Network’s James Fragoza. His speed and explosive nature eventually made him the 63rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.
But looking ahead, Mims comes off as the one who can re-accelerate the wide receiver room, plus reignite Russell Wilson after flopping in 2022.
Marvin Mims Reveals Where He Can Help Russell Wilson and the Broncos the Most
If Mims had to find an early way to win over his future quarterback, he did just that in his introductory press conference after being drafted by the Broncos.
“[Russell Wilson] is one of the great quarterbacks in the game right now, so just to be able to get paired up with him and learn from him — X’s, and O’s, life and little things within the game — is a huge opportunity,” Mims said via Sports Illustrated’s Mile Hile Huddle.
Mims gave Wilson his due. However, he then sent the message of how he can reinvigorate a quarterback who delivered his worst career completion percentage and touchdown output of his 11-year career.
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“I feel like the deep ball is probably one of the strong points of my game,” Mims explained. “With his history, his past, the quarterback he is, and him being comfortable throwing the deep ball — that’s a huge thing he does. Just being able to fit that role — whatever my role is when I get there — that will be a huge plus for me and a plus for the team.”
The deep game was where Mims was most surgical against defenses while at Oklahoma. Equipped with a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash, Mims became a run-after-catch threat, leaving defenders behind with a sluggo (or double-move fake) and gaining separation.
The Broncos, meanwhile, struggled immensely on offense, ranking 21st overall in average yards per game and having the worst passing attack among AFC West teams. Worst, no Denver wideout caught more than 70 receptions, surpassed 975 yards, or scored beyond six touchdowns in 2022, even with Wilson at the controls.
Could Mims’ Arrival Make Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton More Expendable?
Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton were 60-catch receivers for Wilson and the Broncos. Will Mims threaten their status as top receiving options?
Mims isn’t coming in as a one-dimensional wide receiver who can just be plugged at one area and then attack. He was used in more than one WR spot in Norman.
“My best-known thing is I’m a playmaker,” Mims said. “I’m very versatile [and can play] inside and outside. I played both about 50/50 at Oklahoma. I feel like one of my best things is stretching the field and just making big plays out of short routes, intermediate routes, all the different stuff — screen game.
“I’ve averaged around 19 yards per reception in my career and have been very reliable in the return game. With that stuff, I feel like I bring a lot to the team on different aspects.”
Mims is going to become a needed field stretcher for Wilson and new head coach Sean Payton. The offense Payton is bringing in is one that comes with play fakes and attacks defenses off the play action. Mims is capable of being a Brandin Cooks-esque option for Payton — the undersized WR from his New Orleans Saints days who blew the top off defenses as a 1,000-yard wideout from 2015 to 2016.
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Jeudy and Sutton, though, could reap the benefits from Mims’ presence, including more one-on-one matchups. The fastest wideout on the field will always command the most attention, which could come in the form of bracket coverages (featuring a safety over the top of a wideout).
Jeudy and Sutton potentially could command less of that with Mims being plugged in next to them. And in looking back at Denver’s offensive output, the Broncos lacked a true inside receiver who could help open up more route-running room for both veteran pass catchers.
While Mims is capable of being the chunk-play option for the Broncos and bringing back the deep game for Wilson, he can also create more space for the two leading WRs.
Instead of “expendable,” both can be “expandable” on the field through Mims. As it is, general manager George Paton silenced any belief selecting Mims meant a trade for Jeudy, especially with the Broncos not picking up his fifth-year option.
“No. Absolutely not,” Paton said, with Payton adding his “no” at the same time. “I think Mims is going to complement what we have. He’ll be a great complement. He’s going to compete. But it has nothing to do with any of our receivers.”
