Rookie wideout Marvin Mims is in line to take on a more significant role in Denver following the Jerry Jeudy injury.
The Denver Broncos offense took a major hit this week with the news of Jeudy going down with a grade II hamstring strain — that could cause him to miss multiple weeks of the regular season. The Broncos’ 2022 offense was abysmal under rookie Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett. Still, with the addition of Super Bowl-winning coach Sean Payton, there has been optimism around the Broncos this offseason. With this news, second-round rookie Marvin Mims looks to be in for a major role to start the season off.
OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING
Mims looked to be the fourth wide receiver on the Broncos’ depth chart when he was drafted back in April out of Oklahoma, but after a season-ending injury to Tim Patrick and the hamstring injury to Jeudy, Mims has shot up the WR2 to start the season. In 14 games last season, Jeudy caught 67 passes for 972 yards while Russell Wilson looked like a shell of himself. With improvements to the offensive line and a major coaching upgrade, the offense seems ready to leap this season. Payton’s offenses have produced 1000-yard rookies twice in his career with Michael Thomas and Marques Colston.
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi told reporters “He was hurt the first couple of weeks of camp, but since he’s been back, we’ve been impressed with him, hopefully, he keeps developing and keeps performing like he has. We’re real optimistic about him.”
ELITE COLLEGE PRODUCTION AND PROFILE
Mims seems like the receiver we will look back on and wonder, “Why the hell did this guy go in the second round?” In recent history, DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Tee Higgins, and A.J. Brown all went in the second round despite having strong profiles. Mims has a breakout age of 18.5 (96 percentile), ran a sub 4.40 40-yard dash, and led the Sooners in receiving all three seasons in Norman. The former 5-star recruit played with three quarterbacks in three seasons at Oklahoma and was able to produce with all three. Mims’ college production and combine stats point to a breakout rookie season if given the chance.
LOW RISK, HIGH REWARD
Mims is currently going off the board as WR61 on Underdog Fantasy at pick 141 and 199.5 on Fantasy Pros ADP. You’re taking a shot in the dark on most picks at that point in the draft, and Mims is sitting there with the opportunity to be his team’s No. 1 option if everything goes his way. If it doesn’t, you’re still getting WR4/5 production at cost.
In 2022, Jeudy finished as the WR26, while Sutton finished as the WR 45. If Mims hits what should be the floor of WR45 he will already give you an edge in your fantasy leagues. Although the Broncos haven’t shown the world in the preseason that their offense has improved, on paper, it seems to be the case. At WR61 Mims is one of the biggest low-risk, high-reward picks at cost this season.
Mims has virtually no competition behind him as the WR3 in this offense once Jeudy returns and should be the No. 1 or No. 2 option for the first few weeks while Jeudy recovers. Take Mims while you can in your fantasy leagues and best ball drafts before his ADP continues to skyrocket — especially after making big play after big play in the preseason.
