The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Baylor WR Denzel Mims:
What he can do
– Physical against the press; uses size and arm length to gain separation at the line of scrimmage, though aggressive DBs have shown success disrupting his release
– Natural feel for spacing; stacks DBs and plays to his leverage
– Catches with extension; hands-catcher
– Long arms plus natural hands-catcher equals a strong catch radius
– Savvy hand usage against the press
– Possesses an intuitive sense of rhythm and timing; effectively changes speeds to manipulate the cornerback to gain leverage
– Displays clear athleticism in route running and body control; efficient in and out of breaks
– Practically uncoverable at the Senior Bowl
– An effective downfield receiver who can track and adjust to the ball in the air
– Can play “above the rim” on nine routes; stops routes and attacks the ball vertically; could see Mims developing into a lethal back-shoulder receiver
How he fits
At 6-3, 207 pounds, Mims projects as a boundary receiver for the Packers who could start alongside Davante Adams. Mims should be able to hold his own against NFL press corners, and his knack for ball tracking downfield should give the Packers more reliability on throws downfield over 20 yards. Mims has a knack for the red zone in general. The Packers’ lack of diversity in terms of weaponry made them a bit more predictable in the red zone, and Mims gives Rodgers another paydirt miner.
NFL comp
NFL.com compares Mims to New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith. We see a little of Michael Crabtree in Mims.
Where the Packers could get him
Things will get re-shuffled after the combine, but most scouts and pundits see Mims landing anywhere between the second and third round. Mims was the star of the Senior Bowl, and last year’s star, Terry McLaurin, landed in the third. Not that is any real measure of where he’ll go, but Mims possesses the right traits to be a productive receiver at the next level.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant