Grading Lions Trade for WR Denzel Mims

Brad Holmes added a former second-round NFL draft pick with limited risk.

The Detroit Lions have the opportunity to get a look at a former second-round NFL draft pick that involves little to no risk at all. 

Following reports of the deal that will send wide receiver Denzel Mims to the Lions after his stint with the Jets, NFL Network provided additional clarity regarding the compensation Detroit must send to New York. 

If the 25-year-old wideout ends up securing a position on the Lions’ 53-man roster, Detroit must send New York a 2025 sixth-round pick and the Jets would send the Lions a 2025 seventh-round pick. 

If Mims ends up being waived and does not secure a position on the 53-man roster, no draft picks will be exchanged between the two teams. 

The condition on the pick swap is that Mims makes Detroit’s 53-man roster. So it’s a free look at a player who was talented enough to go 59th overall in 2020 and should be plenty motivated in a contract year. https://t.co/eucGKD4ufl

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 20, 2023

Detroit's offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, and the coaching staff will have several weeks to determine if the 6-foot-3, 207-pound wideout is a fit in the offense. 

Veteran quarterback Jared Goff now has an additional target to move the chains, as Amon-Ra St. Brown is expected to be the team's top wideout and receive the most amount of targets. 

According to Sports Illustrated, "Mims has featured in 30 games for the Jets since the team selected him with the No. 59 pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He has 42 career receptions without a touchdown. During college, Mims was a standout receiver at Baylor, scoring 28 touchdowns during his final three years with the Bears. Despite his draft pedigree, things didn’t work out for him in New York, culminating in the two sides parting ways this offseason."

Mims is in the final season of his rookie contract and would only count $1.35 million against the cap, should he make the team. 

Grade: A+