Going into the 2022 NFL season the Green Bay Packers have a number of “what ifs” at the wide receiver position. The Packers lost their top two wide receivers, Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, In the same off-season. Allen Lazard and ‘possibly’ Christian Watson will be vying for that number one wide receiver spot. The New York Jets have three wide receivers on their roster that will likely see major playing time. Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and newly drafted Garrett Wilson. That could leave receiver Denzel Mims on the outside looking in. The Jets have already been rumored to possibly trade him.
Who is Denzel Mims?
Denzel Mims was a three year starter at the University of Baylor. He recorded 186 receptions, 2,925 yards, and 28 touchdowns during his time at Baylor. After two years in the NFL, it seems Mims has had issues every step of the way. Mims slid unexpectedly far in the draft and then suffered a hamstring injury before the preseason, prolonging his rookie debut until Week 7.
Penalties were a problem for Denzel Mims in 2021.
While Mims accounted for only 279 of the 3,009 offensive snaps played by Jets wide receivers (9.3%), he accounted for 5 of the unit’s 10 penalties – in other words, he had the same amount of penalties as every other wide receiver on the team combined. Drops were an issue. Mental mistakes. Many things that weren’t problems in his rookie season or college.
What Is There To Be Optimistic About?
Denzel Mims is one of only seven wide receivers in league history to have at least 40+ receiving yards in each of their first six games. The other players are Andre Johnson, Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs, Michael Thomas, Ceedee Lamb, and Ja’Marr Chase.
In those six games, Mims also averaged 5.4 yards after the catch and had five broken tackles on 19 receptions. At the time, Mims was starting to look like a top wide receiver who was capable of making plays with the ball in his hands. The physical tools are there for Mims, it’s just a matter of putting them together and being in the right system. The Packers could be that system.
Aaron Rodgers Demands Perfection From His Receivers
Jordy Nelson had this to say about Rodgers as a teammate:
“He’s a great leader, we all believe that and believed that and still do. He’s hard on people, he demands a lot, but he demands a lot from himself. And I think any great quarterback out there does the same thing.”
Whatever mental mistakes that Mims would be brining with him to Green Bay wouldn’t last. Very rarely do you see Packers receivers in Green Bay making mental mistakes on a consistent basis. Rodgers nips those in the butt immediately. He is a better teacher / coach than he gets credit for. With all of this being said, you still don’t offer a ton for a question mark. This is my proposed trade:
Packers receive:
- WR Denzel Mims
Jets receive:
- 2023 fourth round pick
- 2023 conditional sixth round pick
Denzel Mims was a second round pick in 2020. His play thus far won’t net the Jets a second round pick in a trade in return. A fourth round on top of an additional later pick would be cheap, and wouldn’t leave the Jets with nothing.
