Pros and Cons of Lions Acquiring WR Denzel Mims

Evaluating whether the Lions should add the 2020 second-round pick.

The Detroit Lions' wide receiver depth has come into question throughout the 2023 offseason. 

With Jameson Williams to be sidelined for the first six games and the departure of DJ Chark, pundits have wondered whether the team will have enough to support quarterback Jared Goff out wide. 

Reports surfaced Wednesday of a split between the New York Jets and fourth-year wideout Denzel Mims. Should the team not find a last second trade partner, he will be waived prior to the start of training camp. 

The Baylor product was one of the top wideouts in the 2020 Draft class, leading the Jets to select him 50th overall. However, he's struggled to make a constant impact throughout his first three NFL seasons. 

Appearing in 30 games with New York, he managed just 15 catches for 676 yards with no scores. Despite this limited production, there are traits that point to him salvaging his career with a new team.

The Jets committed to veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers by surrounding him with familiar targets such as Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb. 

As a result, the 25-year-old was set to fall down the depth chart.  Mims clearly needs a reset based on his usage, but he remains just 25 years old. 

Coming out of college, his combination of size and speed was viewed as above average. There's an element of vertical threat in his game that needs to be unlocked.

The big-bodied wideout stands 6-foot-3 and ran an impressive 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He earned a 59.8 overall Pro Football Focus offensive grade last season. 

Detroit could be a safe landing spot for him, as he'd be in the mix to start from the beginning while also embracing a learning curve behind veteran leaders such as Marvin Jones Jr. and Josh Reynolds.

Currently, those two are the leading candidates to start, with the ever-reliable Amon-Ra St. Brown in the slot. When Williams returns, he will be a big part of the offense. 

There's potential for Mims to fit Detroit's run-oriented style of play. In 10 games last season, he earned a PFF run-blocking grade of 67.7. That mark would've been second behind St. Brown amongst Lions receivers with at least 50 snaps. 

Predominately an outside receiver, the Baylor product has also gotten reps in the slot. Last year, he played 56 snaps at the position against 208 out wide. 

General manager Brad Holmes has succeeded in the past with waiver-wire and free agent moves. 

Most notably, 2022 brought the team John Cominsky and Isaiah Buggs, both of whom became key rotational defensive pieces and earned new contracts with the organization. 

Mims has just one year left on his rookie deal. A last-minute trade may be worth a small price, but placing a waiver claim on him would be more effective to minimize the price of acquiring him. 

At the very least, obtaining his services would put pressure on the likes of seventh-round pick Antoine Green. It would create a training camp battle for the final spots on the roster.