Denzel Mims has been in CeeDee Lamb’s Big 12 shadow for too long. In terms of measurements, Denzel Mims is one of the most intriguing prospects in the NFL Draft. Standing at 6’3, 207 pounds with elite speed, let’s take a look at one of the most underrated prospects in the NFL Draft. How does Denzel Mims fit with the Philadelphia Eagles? Let’s take a look.

Denzel Mims Fun Facts

  • Denzel Mims’ family is loaded with football talent. Many of his family played football in college including connections with Baylor and Texas State. Mims’ cousin, Keyarris Garrett, was an undrafted free agent and plays for the Carolina Panthers
  • Mims was a 4-sport star in high school. He excelled in baseball and track and field. Mims even played quarterback his freshman year before transitioning to wide receiver.

A Look at Denzel Mims’ College Performance

Denzel Mims was a 3-star recruit out of Texas. According to Rivals, Denzel Mims was the 62nd best prospect in the state and also received offers from Arkansas State, Kansas State and Central Arkansas. Mims didn’t make much of an impact his freshman season, playing only 3 games and caught 4 passes for 24 yards. Baylor struggled during Matt Rhule’s first season as head coach, finishing with only one win on the season and tied for dead last in the Big 12.

The rise of Baylor football and Denzel Mims goes hand in hand.

His big play ability and nose for the red zone took center stage during his sophomore season, where his finished with 61 catches for 1,087 yards and 8 touchdowns. His breakout game came during a 49-41 loss to then #3 Oklahoma. Mims showcased his home run ability finishing with 11 catches, 192 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mims’ 17.8 yards per reception was good for 7th best in the Big 12.

Denzel Mims’ numbers took a bit of a dip in 2018. However, the numbers do not indicate how much of an impact he had on the offense his junior season. Mims played all 12 games, finishing with 55 receptions, 794 yards and 8 touchdowns. Baylor also had a turnaround season, finishing 7-6 and defeating Vanderbilt 45-38 in the Texas Bowl. Mims had 6 receptions for 95 yards in the win.

Matt Rhule got Baylor football and Denzel Mims back on the map in 2019. Baylor finished 11-3 and lost to Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. That success led to a massive contract extension for Matt Rhule and a huge season from Denzel Mims. Mims played all 13 games, finishing with 66 receptions for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Rise of Denzel Mims…

Mims has always been a very good athlete that needed refinement in his technique and route running. That would all change during the Senior Bowl. Although he only had one reception for 13 yards in the game, Mims wowed scouts by abusing defensive backs with his improved route running during drills and ability to create separation off the line. Mims also showcased his elite hands and ability to catch contested balls during 1-on-1 drills throughout the week.

NFL Combine

Similar to the Senior Bowl, Mims was one of the biggest winners of the NFL Combine. Denzel Mims ran a 6.66 3-cone, the best time of the night for wide receivers. Denzel Mims tested very well across the board, featuring 38.5” vertical,16 reps on the bench and a 40 yard dash in the low 4.3s. Between the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, Denzel Mims has been one of the biggest high risers during the entire draft process.

Mims’ combination of length, speed and size make him a really intriguing pick for the Birds. Many scouts now believe that Denzel Mims is a fringe first round pick that the Philadelphia Eagles could be targeting in a trade back scenario. Denzel Mims will look to further seal the deal as a first round pick during Baylor’s pro day on March 25th.

Athleticism on par with Henry Ruggs III…

It’s Denzel Mims’ 33 7/8” wing span that has many of the scouts talking. Mims’ wingspan combined with his 38.5” vertical shows Mims could be one of the best red zone targets in the draft. His excellent cone time also showed that he has the quickness to even provide some impact in the slot. He also showed everyone at the NFL Combine that his athleticism and versatility at receiver is elite.

According to Next Gen Stats, Denzel Mims’ 99 wide receiver athleticism score was the same level as Henry Ruggs III. The fact that Mims showed real improvement in his route running shows this dude is a very hard worker off the field and just beginning to touch his ceiling as a wide receiver.

Watch Jack and I talk about Denzel Mims and the rest of the top offensive standouts during the NFL Combine.

Denzel Mims’ Current Draft Projection

  • 30th – Trevor Sikkema/The Draft Network
  • Not listed (first round only) – CBS Sports
  • 30th – Daniel Jeremiah/NFL.com
  • Not listed (first round only) – Todd McShay/ESPN
  • 66th – Matt Miller/Bleacher Report

What Denzel Mims Brings to the Philadelphia Eagles

The first thing that stands out about Denzel Mims is his elite body control and catch radius. This is a guy with very good ball skills who extends through the catchpoint and uses his body to make impressive grabs. According to Pro Football Focus, Denzel Mims was one of the best contested-catch receivers in the FBS last season. Mims’ 90.2 receiving grade on contested catches was one of the 15 best in all of college football last season.

It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Eagles need speed across the board. The Eagles need home run hitters at the wide receiver position. Having a versatile speedster like Denzel Mims to be mentored under Desean Jackson next season would be more than ideal. Denzel Mims brings everything you want out of an Eagles receiver. He can stretch the field, get yards after the catch and most importantly, bring the big play back to Philadelphia.

It’s time to bring the big play back to Philadelphia…

The offense took a major hit last year without having that dominant speed receiver that can stretch the field. The big play was absent nearly all year for the Eagles, as they ranked near the bottom of the league in big plays passes over 25 yards and yards per pass attempt. Mims is elite in yards after the catch due to his elite speed and acceleration.

Final Thoughts

I wouldn’t draft Denzel Mims in the first round. However, if the top targets like Ruggs and Lamb are not available in a trade up or at #21, Denzel Mims is a top notch prospect that should be very attractive to the Eagles in a trade down scenario. Denzel Mims provides a real need for the Eagles (long speed) and will be one of the sexiest names in the NFL Draft on day two.

The Eagles need an outside receiver and this is a strong prospect that checks all the boxes. Mims’ ability to quickly improve his route running during the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine shows you that he’s only beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. If I’m Howie Roseman, this is a no hesitation pick if he’s available for the Eagles in the second round.

In favor of trading back in the first round…

Over the last month, I have grown more and more comfortable with trading back in the first round. The insane depth at wide receiver (Jalen Reagor, Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk, Laviska Shenault Jr., Denzel Mims) in this year’s class justifies it. This would also give Howie Roseman the ammo he needs to move up in the second and third rounds to get the guy he wants most to fill the holes at cornerback, linebacker and defensive line. Denzel Mims should be high on everyone’s draft board when the NFL Draft begins on April 23rd.

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