Broncos Reveal How Marvin Mims Jr. Pick Affects Jerry Jeudy Decision

Was Marvin Mims Jr. a preemptive pick to hedge against an uncertain Jerry Jeudy future?

On Friday night, the Denver Broncos traded up into the second round of the 2023 NFL draft to select Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. The former Sooners playmaker brings 4.38 speed to the table, but that's not the only reason the Broncos targeted him.

Head coach Sean Payton has a "clear vision" for Mims, which he shared with Broncos GM George Paton. 

"Here we are, and we’re getting closer and closer, and we reiterate the vision," Payton said on Friday night. "We hear the scouts talk again; we hear the coaches talk again. George and I look at each other and there’s a clear vision for the receiver (Mims). His traits—he’s got return skills, character makeup and he’s smart. He’s someone that can play at ‘Z’. He can play at ‘X.’ He brings an element of speed you can feel on tape."

Some have wondered how drafting Mims in the second round might affect the Broncos' coming decision on Jerry Jeudy. The Broncos have until May 2 to decide on whether to exercise Jeudy's fifth-year option. Paton dismissed the notion that Mims would influence that decision out of hand. 

“No, absolutely not," Paton said on Friday night. "I think Mims is going to complement what we have. Again, he’s going to compete, but it has nothing to do with any of our receivers.”

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On top of Mims' skill set as an offensive playmaker, the Broncos see versatility in what the 5-foot-11, 183-pounder can offer on special teams. 

“Every year, you look at the return game and try to find who do we feel is the best punt returner in college football and who do we feel is the second best. We felt like there were two elite punt returners," Payton said. "The young man from Houston (WR Tank Dell) who got drafted. You saw it. This was another."

The Broncos still have 2022 fifth-round wideout Montrell Washington on the roster, who served as the primary kick and punt returner last year. But the coaching staff that drafted Washington is long gone, and with Mims hitting the roster, if anyone is going to have to sing for his supper, it'll be him — not Jeudy.  

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