The two names that have been the most associated with the Raiders at pick No. 12 have been wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb. Both had monster 2019 seasons and have been widely considered the best receiver prospects in the class.
However, one player that isn’t getting enough attention as a possible surprise pick in the first round for the Raiders is Baylor receiver Denzel Mims. After dominating the Senior Bowl, Mims put on a show at the NFL Combine. He tested in the 94th percentile in SPARQ as he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at 207 pounds.
In Josh Norris’s latest big board at Rotoworld.com, Mims was ranked as the 12th-best player in the class. And given his size and speed, he might just be a perfect fit in the Raiders offense:
Might be typecast as a Baylor receiver, but Mims has so many of the details of the receiver position down. He’s sneaky with his contact, using his hands or shoulder to create separation at the top of his routes or on breaks. If the corner closes at the catch point he’s then able to create another sliver of separation – putting him in the position of success. He’s the one who wins the contact battles and maintains his speed. The athleticism easily pops on free releases, acrobatic catches, sideline grabs and with the ball in his hands.
Mims may not be the same caliber of a route runner as Lamb or Jeudy, but his overall athleticism and physicality make him a really intriguing option for the Raiders at No. 12. Don’t be surprised if Mims is drafted over one of the top two receivers come April’s draft.
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