When the New York Jets selected wide receiver Denzel Mims in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the team was in a completely different situation.
Void of talent across the board, New York expected the Baylor product to play an immediate role in turning it around.
Fast forward three seasons, and Mims career in Jersey has come to an end. Brian Costello of the NY Post was the first to report on Wednesday that the Jets are moving on from the 25-year-old Mims. According to various notes, New York will waive Mims unless it can find a trade partner for the 6-foot-3 pass-catcher.
Mims had been on the trade block leading up to the 2022 season. But nothing came to fruition on that end. He ultimately recorded just 11 receptions for 186 yards in 10 games (four starts). It was the continuation of major struggles on the part of the former top-60 pick.
Denzel Mims stats: 42 receptions, 676 yards, 0 TD, 45.7% catch rate
Despite doing next to nothing in three seasons with the Jets, some team could look to trade for him. It would be a way to guarantee acquiring the still-young receiver on the cheap rather than letting the waiver wire process play out.
Related: New York Jets training camp preview
New York Jets depth chart after Denzel Mims move
New York added the likes of Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb in free agency. The idea was to get the recently acquired Aaron Rodgers more help in the passing game as he transitions from the Green Bay Packers.
Meanwhile, reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson will be Rodgers’ top target heading into the 2023 season.
Moving off Mims doesn’t necessarily mean the Jets are done changing things up. A big-time free-agent signing back in 2021, Corey Davis could also be on the move. New York would save north of $10 million against the NFL salary cap by releasing Davis.
He struggled in his first two seasons with the Jets, racking up just over 1,000 yards while catching less than 54% of his targets. Assuming Davis does return, here’s what the Jets’ depth chart at wide receiver now looks like.
- Garrett Wilson
- Allen Lazard
- Mecole Hardman
- Randall Cobb
- Corey Davis
This leaves the likes of Irvin Charles, Malik Taylor, Diontae Spencer and a number of other players battling it out for the sixth and likely final spot heading into training camp.