Denzel Mims

Did the New York Jets get a steal in Baylor wideout Denzel Mims?

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New York Jets, Denzel Mims

Taking a look at New York Jets WR Denzel Mims who was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft:

The Jets made the right decision in selecting Mekhi Becton with the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Gang Green immediately found themselves a starting left tackle for Sam Darnold, who has been sacked over 60 times the past two seasons in just 26 games.

However, the third-year passer lost receiver Robby Anderson in free agency to the Seattle Seahawks, leaving a void on offense. While general manager Joe Douglas did allocate some cap space toward the wide receiver position in Breshad Perriman, he did not hesitate to take another receiver in the NFL draft. He selected Denzel Mims out of Baylor with their second-round pick.

Mims is a quality pass catcher who has the potential to develop very quickly and become a top target for Darnold in 2020. His size/speed pairing makes him one of the best receivers in the draft class, and he stood out during the Senior Bowl. Falling to the bottom of the second round allowed the Jets to snag him — he was the 13th receiver to come off the board, but the 48th pick was the lowest he would fall.

At 6-foot-3, Mims has solid height, making him an excellent red-zone target, and is blazing fast with a 4.38 40-yard dash. His 6.66 second three-cone time was the best in the wide receiver class, but drops have been a significant concern for the Baylor product in the past. However, the hope is that Darnold will receive a true ace at the wideout position.

Should we be concerned about his dropped passes?

Recording an 11.4% drop rate in his career, he cut that percentage down to 4.3 in his senior season. That number was lower than CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy, two of the best pass-catchers this year.

Over four seasons with Baylor, Mims logged 186 receptions, 2,925 yards, and 28 touchdowns. With those numbers, he can surely translate to the professional level and offer the Jets a premium target for Darnold moving forward.

Did the New York Jets land a steal of a WR in Denzel Mims?

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New York Jets, Denzel Mims

Taking a look at New York Jets new wide receiver Denzel Mims:

Many believe that Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims is a first-round talent, but he subsequently fell to the Jets later on in the second round, marking him as a steal. Mims is an exceptional talent with quality red zone traits and abilities.

In 2019, he logged 1020 receiving yards and 12 overall touchdowns. His 15.5 yards per catch was astounding and really extends the field for Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.

Mims can be a downfield threat for the Jets, similar to Robbie Anderson, who left in free agency to the Seattle Seahawks. NFL.com projects him as a starter within the first two seasons of NFL play. His long strides and excellent height and physical traits open up a door of possibilities on a Jets offense that already consists of Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman, and star running back Le’Veon Bell.

Some of the positive strengths he brings to the NFL is speed, great instincts when the ball is in the air, the ability to get to the ball at its highest point, and is a smooth route runner with room to grow.

He can be jammed at the line of scrimmage and is a little slow off his break, but these are things that the Jets will work on with him as he develops in the coming months. He does have a history of dropping contested balls, but frequently this comes down to fundamentals and body control, things the Jets can refine.

One weakness that Lance Zeirlien hits on is a lack of competitiveness, which can be a significant factor in a player succeeding at the next level. Hopefully, falling to the second round places a chip on his shoulder that allows him to break out and reach his potential. Mims is essentially a high-upside duplicate of Anderson.

NFL Draft: New York Jets select Baylor WR Denzel Mims with No. 59 pick

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New York Jets, Denzel Mims

With their first Friday night selection, the New York Jets took Baylor receiver Denzel Mimis with a pick obtained from Seattle.

The New York Jets used the 59th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft to take Baylor receiver Denzel Mims.

Mims departs Waco ranked third in touchdown receptions (28), fifth in overall receptions (186), and sixth in yardage (2,925). He set career-bests in his senior season with 66 receptions and 12 touchdowns, while also putting up 1,020 receiving yards. His college career was capped off with seven touchdowns over his final six games, including one last score in Baylor’s Sugar Bowl tilt with Georgia.

The Jets were in desperate need of receiving help after the departure of Robby Anderson to Carolina. Mims has the playmaking ability the Jets could desperately use to make Sam Darnold more comfortable. He appeared in the Big 12’s top ten in average receptions twice, including a career-best 17.8 during his sophomore season (seventh in the conference).

Mims is the first Baylor Bear drafted by the Jets since they took quarterback Bryce Petty in 2015’s fourth round.

The Jets will next choose in the 68th slot, in a pick obtained from the New York Giants in a fall trade.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

NFL Draft Top 5 Wide Reciever Rankings

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New York Giants, DeAndre Baker

With the NFL Draft rapidly approaching, over the next few days I plan on breaking down the best and brightest talents in this years class. This Wide Receiver class is INCREDIBLE. This top 5 could’ve been a top 15. There are 15 guys in this class who are game changers in any draft. I’m very excited to see where they all land, here are my top guys and who I compare them too.

1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Pro Comparison: Amari Cooper

Jeudy is the most complete receiver in this draft class in my opinion. Jeudy has really good speed and is one of the best route runners I’ve seen in recent memory. Jeudy is an ideal #1 receiver for the future. Jeudy has the potential to be a game changing receiver and he can open up the field for other players. Jeudy is very similar to Cooper in the backgrounds both men have and the way they give other players opportunities.

2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

Pro Comparison: DeAndre Hopkins

Lamb is the 1B of this class. Jeudy is a better route runner, but Lamb is better at running deep routes and snagging the 50/50 balls. Lamb is the kind of guy that can kill you over the top or be a short threat and get some yards after the catch. Lamb has high potential and if he develops further as a route runner, he has All Pro level potential. Lamb has the potential to be as good as Hopkins.

3. Henry Ruggs, Alabama

Pro Comparison: John Ross

I’ve heard a lot of comps for Ruggs to Tyreek Hill or Sammy Watkins. Quite frankly, I think Ruggs is tougher than Ross and more durable, but he’s not much better. Ruggs has game breaking ability and an undeniable play making potential. Ruggs just doesn’t strike me as a #1 guy. Ruggs is such a good played, but he seems to be slightly over projected in where he really SHOULD be picked. I like Ruggs, a lot, but the potential to be a bust is prominent, but the potential to be what John Ross could’ve been is there.

4. Justin Jefferson, LSU

Pro Comparison: Greg Jennings

I saw Lance Zierlien make the comp to Jennings here and I love it. Jennings was a very good, high IQ player. He was better in the slot and talented in the red zone. He also excelled when his QB excelled, not the other way around. Jefferson needs to prove he isn’t just a flash in the pan because of Burrow’s incredible play. If Jefferson can do what he did at LSU and put up video game numbers, he’ll be the next great wide out. If he falls somewhere in between Jennings and elite wideout territory, that’d be a great pick for any team and the fulfillment of Jefferson’s peak potential.

5. Denzel Mims, Baylor

Pro Comparison: Brandon Marshall

At the Senior Bowl, Mims caught a lot of people’s eyes. He was unbeatable in one on one match ups. Mims is a unique blend of size and speed. Mims has a really good catch range and is very lengthy. Mims has some risk, but I think he could be a very good outside receiver at the next level. The catch radius he has and his size is similar to Marshall.

Honorable Mention: Laviska Shenault Jr.

I was tempted to stick Shenault over some of the other guys on this list. Early on I would’ve had him as the third best wideout in this class. He’s a game breaker. He’s dynamic, and he’s an absolute beast. Durability concerns have plagued Shenault and dropped his stock. If Shenault impressed in interviews and in medical testing, he could be a surprise high day 2 pick. Shenault is a really good talent and if he stays healthy, could be an incredible steal.

Other talented players who’ve caught my eye include Michael Pittman Jr., Jalen Reagor, Chase Claypool and Brandon Aiyuk.

New York Jets: What WRs Could Jets Draft?

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The New York Jets lost their best receiver this week to Carolina. With Anderson gone, the Jets brought in Breshard Perriman on a one year deal. With him on a prove-it deal, Quincy Enunwa with injury question marks galore and Jamison Crowder best suited in the slot, the Jets need to add to their receiving corps in the draft.

Day 1

The Jets have pick 11. I’m a firm believer that they should take and offensive lineman with that pick. If they went receiver though, it’s between 3 guys. Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, and Henry Ruggs are the top 3 guys in this LOADED class.

Jeudy stands out to me above the other two. Jeudy is versatile and can play in a lot or on the outside. Jeudy is one of the crispest route runners I’ve ever seen and he’s a future number 1 receiver.

Lamb is a deep threat who can high point the ball like nobody’s business he’d fit Sam Darnold’s play style the best of the three and would give him that deep threat he had in Anderson and then some.

Ruggs is the most electric of the 3. He lit up the 40-yard dash and has flashed his in-game speed as well. If he developed as a route runner he’d have the most upside of the 3. They’re all phenomenal talents and would immediately bolster the Jets receiving corps now and in the future.

Day 2 & 3

This receiving class is loaded. That’s why I’d prefer the Jets to wait till day 2 & 3 to pick a weapon or two for the same. Rather than go through all the incredible talent I highlighted 4 guys I think would be the best fits or are my favorite receivers.

Justin Jefferson is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. He’s a receiver’s best friend and if he slips to day 2 and the Jets pick, the New York Jets should take him. He’s got a great mix of size and speed and would immediately become Darnold’s favorite target.

Chase Claypool is a unique guy. He’s a lot like Evan Engram. Engram is a good tight end but sometimes he’s more like a receiver. Claypool is a good receiver but sometimes he’s more like a tight end. He’s a unique hybrid that is faster than most tight ends and could be both a great threat in space and a beast in the red zone.

Michael Pittman is a former teammate of Sam Darnold. His catch radius is off the charts. He’s dynamic and he’s got that connection to Sam. Pittman would become a great piece of this offense and he’s a good personality on and off the field.

Antonio Gandy Golden is a guy who’s going to be available later in this draft. Golden reminds me of a slightly shorter and at this timeless talented Megatron He’s physical, lengthy and can make plays happen. Golden can develop and become a key piece of any offense.

Other guys like Denzel Mims, Tee Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Brandon Aiyuk, and KJ Hamler are all beasts and guys I like as well. The point is with all this talent, the Jets have no excuse not to upgrade their receiving corps.

NY Jets Mock Draft 1.0 Rounds 4-7

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Welcome back to my 1st mock draft attempt of 2020. The goal is to improve the Jets and give them pieces that hopefully lead them to an improvement from 7-9 next year and success in the foreseeable future. In the first 3 rounds of this mock, the Jets added a star wideout, a beast of an offensive lineman, a linebacker with big potential and a potential replacement for Lev Bell. Using The Draft Network Mock Draft Simulator and taking the best players at each position based on needs, potential, and more here is an early projection of what the Jets draft could look like.

Round 4 Pick 110: Trajan Brady CB Miami

The Jets will have some big cornerback decisions in this upcoming offseason. Trumaine Johnson will likely be on his way out. They have other free agents like Brian Poole as well. Poole should be brought back. Arthur Maulet and Bless Austin have shown flashes but the Jets need another corner. Trajan Brady would be an excellent slot corner or rotational cornerback in the future. Brady is FAST and can keep up with a lot of receivers in coverage and support blown coverages. Brady is very undersized but if he can figure out ways to use it to his advantage in the future then he can be a very solid NFL player.

Round 5 Pick 140: Yasir Durant OL Missouri

The Jets need to not only upgrade the offensive line in free agency and with an early-round pick but also in the late rounds as well. Yasir Durant is a raw prospect but one who could easily become a top offensive lineman for this squad. In 2018, Durant allowed fewer QB pressures then both Jawaan Taylor and Jonah Williams, two top linemen from last year’s draft. Durant is the kind of player that with development from a solid offensive line coach, could be a very good NFL Starter. Durant could be a very good value pick in the 5th round and a good piece for the future.

Round 6 Pick 171: Denzel Mims WR Baylor

One of my favorite picks in this draft is Denzel Mims. Mims is a 6’3 receiver with electric speed. Mims can be a monster in the red zone and also be a significant deep threat. He has the makeup of a superstar receiver and his only flaw is some minor technical issues. If Mims can iron some of those issues out with help from offensive assistant Hines Ward and WR Coach Shawn Jefferson then Mims has the potential to contribute early and in a big way. Mims has the potential to be one of the best wide receivers in this class and adding him could immediately help the offense, both now and in the future.

Round 7 Pick 202: Big Kat Bryant EDGE Auburn

Big Cat Bryant is a really good athlete. He has not played a lot at Auburn and only has 6.5 sacks in the three seasons he spent there, but the way he’s utilized at Auburn significantly drops his stock. Although Bryant is athletic enough to drop into coverage, has sideline to sideline speed and has solid pass rushing abilities, they play him at defensive end. If Bryant was switched to outside linebacker, his production would immediately increase. That type of athlete in a Gregg Williams defense would be fun to watch. Bryant would fit well in this defense as a rotational linebacker but if he’s a defensive end I don’t know how long he’ll stay on an NFL roster. This would be a potential based pick that the Jets should make.

Summary

The Jets added a speedy cornerback with the potential to be a solid slot corner. They added an offensive lineman with the potential to become a very good start with some technical refinement. They grabbed one of the best wideouts in college football from this past year who could immediately contribute. Lastly, they added an edge rusher with solid potential as a rotational pass rusher. Their Day 3 picks matter just as much as their Day 1 picks. Joe Douglas often has a lot of success in identifying talented Day 3 picks as seen with some of the Eagle’s previous pickups. These are 4 additions that could help the roster significantly and the whole draft class would be one to be proud of for the Jets.