Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims made a big impact on special teams as a rookie last season, earning a Pro Bowl nod as a returner after totaling 709 return yards and a touchdown.
Mims also made plays when given opportunities on offense, averaging 17.1 yards per reception, but he rarely got opportunities on offense. Mims played 384 snaps last fall, a big drop from Jerry Jeudy (662) and an even bigger drop from Courtland Sutton (782).
The most notable snap number was Jeudy’s. Mims plays essentially the same position as Jeudy, who was traded to the Cleveland Browns this spring. Following Jeudy’s departure, there should be more snaps available for Mims this fall.
“I’ve said this, and I’ll say it again — we were as much responsible for, I don’t want to say holding him back, but you’re trying to get snaps with Jerry Jeudy, with Courtland,” coach Sean Payton said on May 30. “I think we’ll see a lot of growth from Year 1 to Year 2. He’s tough. He had a really good play today.
“We know he’s a good returner. We felt that was one of the strengths obviously that we saw on tape. But we saw transitional speed, we saw the things that you need to have at that receiver position. So I don’t think it was his development as much as, and I don’t want to say a crowded room, but just trying to create enough touches for those guys.”
It’s a bittersweet scenario for Mims. He knows the Jeudy trade will open more opportunities for him, but he lost a good teammate in the trade.
“It’s tough,” Mims said. “Coming in as a rookie last year, Jerry looked out for me and taught me a lot. It was great to be in a room with him. With him going to Cleveland, hopefully that’s the best opportunity for him to showcase what he can do. He’s one heck of a player. I just wish him all the best. Whatever happens here, happens here.”
Mims turned 33 targets into 22 receptions for 377 yards and one touchdown last fall. With a chance to emerge as the team’s No. 2 receiver in 2024, Mims should easily see his numbers make a big jump in Year 2.
