The New York Jets drafted Baylor stand-out wide receiver Denzel Mims for one primary reason, and that is to bolster the offense and increase Sam Darnold’s production. Over 13 games in 2019, Mims posted 1020 yards, averaging 15.5 yards per reception, and logged 12 touchdowns. He’s clearly entering the NFL as a productive wide receiver and can take the Jets’ offense to the next level, but he brings one underrated factor that could be significantly beneficial.
One of the Jets’ major issues in 2019 was their ability to run the football at a high-level. Le’Veon Bell, who is in the first year of his contract with Gang Green, posted a career-low 3.2 yards per attempt. Not to mention his 52.6 yards rushing per game, which was also career low for him.
At 28 years old in 2020, Bell needs to see a significant production increase if he is going to stay on the Jets long-term. However, Mims can help in the run game as a blocker, as he exerted incredible energy and motivation to utilize that skill set in his senior year with Baylor.
“I can say the strongest part of my game is really my blocking,†Mims said in an interview with Jets team reporters. “I am a guy that really loves to block and I take pride in that. You got to block for your running backs and your quarterback because if I want the ball and I want them to be able to trust me, I feel like I need to think the game when it comes to blocking first. Then, I will be able to catch the balls.â€
It is expected that had Coach Adam Gase will utilize more of an outside-zone run scheme next season, which will clear the box and give Bell more time to make decisions in the backfield. Unfortunately, the Jets had a poor offensive line in 2019, contributing heavily to the limitations of Bell in the run game. Signing Greg Van Roten, Connor McGovern, George Fant, and drafting Mekhi Becton should significantly improve the unit as a whole.
With Mims posting a 4.38 40-yard dash, he is a high ceiling player that can contest footballs in the air but also block downfield at an elevated level. That will be a major benefit for the Jets and a reason why they drafted him in the second round.