The Lions will make another second-round trade with an AFC West team, sending Nos. 63 and 183 overall to the Broncos in exchange for Nos. 68 and 139 (Twitter link via Lions reporter Tim Twentyman). Denver selected Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims.
Considering the Broncos have held intermittent trade talks regarding Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, this selection is an eyebrow-raising move. Mims will add another young element to a Denver passing game which struggled to establish production or consistency in 2022. That was an especially disappointing development considering the expectations the team faced.
Mims – the younger brother of the Jets’ Denzel Mims – followed him by playing in the Big 12 in college. The Sooners pass-catcher enjoyed an intriguing freshman campaign, totaling 610 yards and nine touchdowns. He was once again a major deep threat in 2021, but his most productive campaign came last year.
The 5-11, 177-pounder racked up 1,083 yards and six touchdowns on 54 receptions in 2022. His 20.1 yards-per-catch average established himself as a dynamic field-stretcher. His frame made him similar to many other WRs in this year’s class, though, which no doubt contributed to his wait to hear his name called. He will now join an intriguing situation in the NFL.
Denver faces plenty of expectation once again with Sean Payton now at the helm. He has insisted that neither Jeudy nor Sutton will be on the move, and that pair will top the team’s depth chart in 2023 presuming they do indeed remain in the fold. Mims will look to fill the deep-speed position occupied by KJ Hamler, who has struggled to stay healthy during his three years in the NFL. If the latter were to depart in free agency, Mims could be well-positioned to take his place for the long-term future.