How Detroit Lions Offense Improves With WR Denzel Mims

Ralph Ventre of Jets Country examines what the Lions are getting in wide receiver Denzel Mims.

Ralph Ventre covers the New York Jets for Jets Country, and answered five questions regarding what the Detroit Lions are getting in wide receiver Denzel Mims. 

1. Why did things not work out for Denzel Mims with the New York Jets?

Ralph Ventre: It almost seemed like his Jets' tenure was doomed from the start when he landed on the injured reserve list for the first six weeks of his rookie season in 2020. When he finally made it onto the field, he made multiple catches in every one of his first six appearances and showed some ability, but he never took the next step in his development. 

When Robert Saleh took over in 2021, Mims' snap percentage dropped dramatically. It started to become clear last season that he was no longer part of the organization's long-term plans.

2.) What are the Detroit Lions getting in their new wide receiver?

Ventre: I was high on Mims coming out of college and thought it was a good pick by the Jets at the time. His combination of size and sub-4.4 speed intrigued me. He has legitimate NFL measurables and a big-play ability.

3.) What are his biggest strengths and weaknesses?

Ventre: He can get down field in a hurry and has a wide catch radius. He lacked any semblance of consistency. He caught fewer than 50 percent of his targets during his Jets tenure. His hands are his achilles.

🚨🚨BREAKING: Denzel Mims is being traded away by the #Jets to the @Lions, per @Connor_J_Hughes pic.twitter.com/vOQxRlyZOx

— Natalie Sparbeck (@NatSparbeck) July 20, 2023

4.) How should offensive coordinator Ben Johnson best utilize him in his offense?

Ventre: He did average over 15 yards per catch and has the explosiveness to win downfield.

5.) Do you think Mims will succeed in Detroit?

Ventre: He certainly has the physical traits to succeed and a change of scenery was definitely needed. The fact that he had trouble getting on the field despite a rash of injuries to the Jets' receiving corps is a reason for concern.