Denzel Mims, one of the standouts of the NFL Scouting Combine, was the Packers’ pick at No. 30 in a new Draft Network mock draft.
One of the big winners of the NFL Scouting Combine ended up with the Green Bay Packers in a new three-round mock draft at The Draft Network.
Trevor Sikkema’s post-combine mock draft sent Baylor receiver Denzel Mims to the Packers at No. 30 overall in the first round. A somewhat forgotten about player in a deep receiver class, Mims has put himself squarely in the first-round conversation after dominating the Senior Bowl and then tearing up the combine in Indianapolis this week.
Mims (6-3, 207) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, hit 38.5″ in the vertical leap and 10-11 in the broad jump, benched 225 pounds 16 times and finished the three-cone drill in 6.66 seconds.
Sikkema compared Mims’ performance to Chris Godwin, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018 who broke out with over 1,300 receiving yards during the 2019 season.
In Mims, the Packers would be getting a big, fast and strong receiver with tons of experience making plays in the red zone and in contested catch situations. He has flashes of Michael Crabtree and Dez Bryant in his game, only with a higher ceiling based on his athletic testing numbers.
The Packers need a complementary receiver in the passing game behind Davante Adams. According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, the Packers want to add a pass-catcher both in free agency and the draft.
Later in Sikkema’s mock draft, the Packers took UConn offensive tackle Matthew Peart at No. 62 overall and LSU tight end Thaddeus Moss at No. 94 overall, providing help at the offense’s three biggest need positions to start the draft.
The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine has concluded in Indianapolis. Who won the week, and who leaves town with work to do?
The 2020 NFL scouting combine is now in the books. Over the course of the past week, more than 300 prospective NFL players were put through the paces during the world’s strangest job interview. After all, that is what the combine truly is: A job interview. Some will get jobs, others will not.
With the combine behind us, who improved their chances, and which prospects still have work to do?
Winner: Jalen Hurts
(Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
The Oklahoma product came into Indianapolis known for his athleticism, and he did not disappoint in that regard. Hurts posted a 4.59 40-yard dash, one of the best numbers turned in by the quarterbacks and a number that backs up Hurts’ athleticism on film. (Only Cole McDonald ran faster, besting Hurts by 0.01 seconds).
But scouts and evaluators knew that the Oklahoma signal-caller was athletic. What they wanted to see was more evidence that he can develop into an NFL passer. That is where his throwing session comes into play. He impressed during his throwing session, displaying tighter and crisper mechanics. In addition, the ball popped out of his hand very well. For example, he delivered on a well-placed out route to Isaiah Hodges along the left sideline, as well and a great dig route to Antonio Gandy-Golden off of a deep drop into the pocket. Those throws highlighted some improved footwork from the quarterback. Hurts helped himself this week, especially when you consider how well he likely performed in his interviews with teams.
While Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa seem solidified in the top tier of quarterbacks, there is a lot of wrangling behind them for a spot in that second tier. With his performance in Indianapolis, Hurts might have moved into that group.
Loser: Jake Fromm
(Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
To be fair to Fromm, the parts of the Combine that were visible to the public are probably not the areas where he is going to excel. The Georgia passer is not known for having a powerful arm, nor is he known for upper-tier athleticism. During the testing and the workout at Lucas Oil Stadium, those parts of his game were on display. Fromm managed just a 5.01 40-yard dash, the slowest time of any quarterback who chose to run. During his throwing session, Fromm’s passes lacked velocity and tended to dip as they approached their target.
However, the parts that we could not see, specifically the team interviews and the whiteboard sessions, are probably where Fromm shines. He is a very smart and experienced passer who was given a lot of responsibility at the line of scrimmage, and early in his career. From the neck up Fromm is one of the better quarterbacks in this class, and during those meetings he likely impressed coaches and general managers with his knowledge of the game and offensive/defensive schemes.
There is likely to be an NFL team – or more – that falls for Fromm during this process. Based on his film, it will likely be due more to what he does during the meetings than anything he displayed Thursday night on the Lucas Oil Turf.
The Baylor receiver dominated the workouts at the combine on Thursday and is now a legit option for the Packers in the first round.
An elite workout from Baylor receiver Denzel Mims at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday will raise his stock into the first round and make him a legitimate option for the Green Bay Packers at No. 30 overall in the 2020 draft.
An occasionally forgotten about player in a class stacked with receivers, Mims was the star of the show during testing on Thursday night in Indianapolis.
Mims (6-3, 207) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, hit 38.5″ in the vertical leap and 10-11 in the broad jump and finished the three-cone drill in 6.66 seconds. Among receivers, he was tied for third in the 40, tied for eighth in the vertical, tied for fourth in the broad and first in the three-cone. Mims also put up 16 reps on the bench press despite having arms measured at 34″.
NFL’s Nex Gen Stats gave Mims, Henry Ruggs and Donovan Peoples-Jones a maximum “Athletic Score” of 99.
Athleticism Scores for the 2020 wide receiver class are now official.
Henry Ruggs III (4.27 40-time), Denzel Mims (6.66 3-cone drill), and Donovan Peoples-Jones (44.5" vertical jump) all finished with a max 99 Athleticism Score.#NFLCombinepic.twitter.com/GhbfjLaEQZ
There is danger in falling in love with athleticism. Every year, a star of the combine is overdrafted and ends up busting at the next level.
Mims doesn’t have any bust characteristics, mostly because he’s more than just an elite athlete.
His tape over the last three seasons is littered with quick releases off he line, contested catches downfield, physicality to all areas of the field, a willingness to block in the run game, production on third down and in the red zone and tons of big plays. Between 2017 and 2019, Mims caught 182 passes for 2,901 yards and 28 touchdowns, including at least eight touchdowns each season and a career-high 12 scores as a senior.
He has the tape, the production and the elite workout, and he was one of the top standouts coming out of the Senior Bowl in January. Mims is checking all the boxes, and elite athletes that check all the boxes go in the first round.
This is a loaded class of receivers, and several others in the class – including LSU’s Justin Jefferson– solidified themselves as first-round locks with their testing numbers on Thursday night. It’s possible CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Ruggs, Jefferson, Tee Higgins and Jalen Reagor could all go in the first round. Laviska Shenualt and Brandon Aiyuk are also first-round candidates. And so is Mims, who was recently mocked to the Packers at No. 30 overall by Pro Football Focus.
Expect to see more of Mims at No. 30. Arguably no player has improved his draft stock more over the last two months than the Baylor star. It’s now verified that he has the rare blend of size, talent, elite athleticism and collegiate production that all teams, including the Packers, covet at receiver.
The Packers need a pass-catcher in the 2020 draft. Don’t be surprised if the answer come April is Mims, a rising star in the class who now looks like a legitimate first-rounder.
Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez drops three notable takeaways from the first day of the workouts at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.
The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine kicked off Thursday with the quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends working out on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.
Here are three Chargers takeaways from the workouts.
No. 1, Justin Herbert & Jordan Love shine
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
While LSU’s Joe Burrow and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa spectated, Herbert and Love earned the spotlight as they threw in front of all 32 NFL teams in hopes of separating themselves as this year’s QB3.
Herbert, who has been commonly paired to the Chargers in mock drafts. The former Oregon product showcased his arm talent, delivering wonderful spiral and throw power while placing the ball in perfects throw locations. He made all of his throws look easy, especially on the deep ball.
Herbert is known for his athleticism, and the testing numbers reflected. The Eugene native ran a strong 40-yard dash, clocking in at an official 4.68. He also finished second among quarterbacks in the vertical jump (35.5 inches) and third in the broad jump (10-foot-3).
Love, who has faced questions about his inconsistencies during a disappointing redshirt junior season, threw the ball well. He delivered pretty passes with his loose and live arm to remind everyone that there’s plenty to like other than what the stat sheet showed in 2019.
As for the testing portion, Love finished tied second among quarterbacks with a 35.5-inch vertical jump, and finished fifth in the broad jump at 9-foot-10.
Herbert has just about solidified himself as a top-10 selection, but Love could have as well. On the NFL Network broadcast, Ian Rapoport said buzz was picking up about Love as a potential top-10 pick.
Here’s who showed out — and who should have stayed home — during Thursday’s scouting combine drills.
The scouting combine is but one element of the evaluation process for any draft prospect, though it’s an incredibly important one. If you blow it in team interviews or on the field for drills, it can absolutely affect your stock. And we all have our favorite combine performers whose feats put them in a different stratosphere in the eyes of NFL teams.
With that in mind, here’s who showed out — and perhaps who should have stayed home — during the Thursday combine drills that featured quarterbacks, tight ends, and receivers.
Winners
Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama/Oklahoma
(Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
Hurts transferred from Alabama to Oklahoma following Tua Tagovailoa’s ascent with the Crimson Tide, and put up a career yards per attempt average of 9.1, and 80 touchdowns to 20 interceptions in two of the most schematically rigorous NCAA offenses. Still, concerns about his defensive recognition and hesitation when his first read is covered will linger.
Hurts did as much as he could to eliminate those issues in Indianapolis, running a 4.59 40-yard dash — the second-fastest time for any quarterback behind Hawaii’s Cole McDonald — and showing off-season work in the passing drills.
Hurts looked good on the short and intermediate throws that required timing and anticipation, but I was especially impressed by his ability to throw deep balls with touch, arc, timing, and accuracy. There are those who will tell you that Hurts could succeed in a dual role like a Taysom Hill. I think Hurts has developed beyond that. He may not be an immediate starter, but Hurts has the potential to put it all together in more than a gimmicky future.
Chase Claypool. WR/TE, Notre Dame
(Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports)
On Monday, Claypool measured at 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, with a 9 7/8″ hand size, 32 4/8″ arm length, and an 80-inch wingspan. Claypool’s body type has a lot of NFL people thinking of moving him to a “Y” tight end, removed from the formation in a Travis Kelce style.
“I really haven’t put a lot of thought into that because I’ve been a receiver this whole time,” Claypool said this week. “But it’s something that I think could add versatility to my game. Right now, I’m just focused on being the best receiver I can be.”
Well, it worked out on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, as Claypool ran a 4.42 40-yard dash and put together a 40.5-inch vertical jump and a 126-inch broad jump. This particular statistic puts Claypool’s evening in perspective.
Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool was one of the biggest winners of the day, finishing with a 97 Athleticism Score per the Next Gen Stats Draft Model.
At 6'4, 238 lbs, Claypool ran a 4.42 40-yard dash, the only WR over 230 lbs to break 4.45 since Calvin Johnson (2007). pic.twitter.com/piL2rydCV9
If you’re in Megatron’s class, that’s a good landmark going forward.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
(Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports)
The combine worked out very well for Peoples-Jones, who caught 103 passes for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns over three years for the Wolverines in a limited passing offense. While he struggled to gain separation on the field, Peoples-Jones set himself apart with his measurements on this field.
This won’t eliminate the questions about his game tape, but it’ll have people talking more about him as more than a career backup.
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
(Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports)
Before he ran his drills on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, Justin Jefferson got a little moral support from his quarterback — a guy whose name may be familiar.
Joe Burrow making sure his guy Justin Jefferson is ready ✊🐯
Yeah, well, it worked. Jefferson, who exploded in 2019 with 111 catches for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns in LSU’s national championship campaign last season, continued that momentum with a 4.43 40-yard dash at 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds. He also posted a 37.5-inch vertical jump and a 126-inch broad jump.
Moreover, Jefferson was aggressive and definitive when making his catches, especially in the gauntlet drill. Jefferson came into this environment with an obvious confidence that permeated his performance, and he likely made himself some money tonight, because everything you saw in the drills transfers to the tape.
Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
At 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, Mims established himself through four years at Baylor as one of the most aggressive deep threats and blocking receivers in the nation. He caught 186 passes for 2,925 yards and 28 touchdowns, and though the drop rate spoke to some focus issues through his collegiate career, there was no questioning his focus during the combine drills. Mims had a 38.5-inch vertical leap and a 10’11” broad jump, and both of his 40 times were in the 4.4 radius. Mims will have to develop his route tree beyond slants and go routes at the NFL level, but he did a lot to establish his athletic potential here in Indianapolis — especially after his strong Senior Bowl week.
Breaking down Baylor WR Denzel Mims, a potential pick for the Packers in the 2020 NFL draft.
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.
Chargers Wire drops their takeaways from the wide receiver’s measurements at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.
The wide receivers were among the three positional groups that measured in on Monday morning at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.
For the Chargers, they are in need of adding more play-makers at the position. Therefore the team could be in the market for one as early as Round 2.
Here is a look at the measurements of some of the notable wideouts, followed by some of our takeaways:
Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
Height: 5-11 5/8
Weight: 205
Arm: 33 4/8″
Wingspan: 80″
KJ Hamler, Penn State
Height: 5-8 5/8
Weight: 178
Arm: 30 6/8″
Wingspan: 72 4/8″
Tee Higgins, Clemson
Height: 6-3 5/8
Weight: 216
Arm: 34 1/8″
Wingspan: 81″
Justin Jefferson, LSU
Height: 6-1 2/8
Weight: 202
Arm: 33″
Wingspan: 78″
Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Height: 6-1
Weight: 193
Arm: 32 1/8″
Wingspan: 76″
CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
Height: 6-1 5/8
Weight: 198
Arm: 32 2/8″
Wingspan: 76 5/8″
Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
Height: 5-11
Weight: 188
Arm: 30 4/8″
Wingspan: 74 4/8″
Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
Height: 6-0 5/8
Weight: 227
Arm: 31 7/8″
Wingspan: 76 2/8″
Denzel Mims, Baylor
Height: 6-2 7/8
Weight: 207
Arm: 33 7/8″
Wingspan: 78 4/8″
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan
Height: 6-1 5/8
Weight: 212
Arm: 33 4/8″
Wingspan: 79 2/8″
Michael Pittman, USC
Weight: 6-4
Weight: 223
Arm: 32 4/8″
Wingspan: 79 2/8″
Jalen Reagor, TCU
Height: 5-10 5/8
Weight: 206
Arm: 31 3/8″
Wingspan: 74 3/8″
Takeaways
We’ve mentioned Brandon Aiyuk as a potential option for Los Angeles. Even though Aiyuk is one of the shorter wide receivers in this year’s class, the 80-inch wingspan is very enticing for him. The combination of his explosiveness and the length could pay huge dividends at the next level.
Jalen Reagor has also been highlighted as a potential option. Reagor weighing in at 206 pounds at 5-foot-10 is a plus, but just wait until he runs in the 4.3’s with that frame.
Denzel Mims hasn’t been highlighted yet, but he is definitely an option. His athleticism, catch radius and body control are intriguing traits as a deep threat. Mims’ height/build is very similar to Keenan Allen.
KJ Hamler is one of the more smaller wideouts at 5-foot-8 and 178 pounds, but he would be a much-needed big-play threat for the Chargers. His speed and yards after the catch ability is second-to-none. Look out for Hamler to run in the 4.3’s.
In Pro Football Focus’ latest 2020 NFL mock draft, the Buffalo Bills make a trade for a wide receiver.
Many haven’t pegged the Buffalo Bills as a trade candidate at the 2020 NFL Draft.
Pro Football Focus tossed their name into the mix as one of the first ones doing so in their latest mock draft.
The football analytics outlets views the Bills as a trade back candidate. In doing so, the Bills move back from pick No. 22 to pick No. 26 via a trade with the Detroit Lions.
In the end, the Bills end up with wide receiver Denzel Mims from Baylor after the dust settles.
Here’s how PFF breaks down the deal:
The Bills can afford to accumulate more picks by moving back in the draft with how deep this receiving class is. Mims’ highlight-reel catch ability and physicality in contested situations is something the Bills do not have currently. His 20 contested catches in 2019 were the second most in college football.
In PFF’s draft, things fall this way for the Bills thanks to separate trade. The Dolphins trade up to the third-overall pick held by the Lions to draft quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from Alabama. In order to get there, the Dolphins send the No. 26 pick to the Lions, who then send it to the Bills.
In Mims, the Bills get “highlights,” as PFF mentions, but also size. The 6-foot-4 prospect had 12 touchdowns in his final season in college. Mims took part in the recent Senior Bowl and impressed during practices. Draft Wire tabbed Mims as one of their standouts from that prospect extravaganza.
If this scenario plays out of the Bills, plenty of Bills observers would view this as a win. Buffalo adds to their offensive arsenal while likely picking up more draft selections. One can also envision some of those extra picks coming at the 2021 NFL Draft, as the Bills already hold nine picks at the upcoming rookie selection event.
Jordan Love to Denzel Mims down the sideline. Baylor’s Denzel Mims stock is going way up. pic.twitter.com/pGK3Y8TkJS
Potential 2020 NFL Draft targets for the Buffalo Bills from Draft Wire’s 2020 All-Senior Bowl team.
Our friends at Draft Wire broke down the 2020 Senior Bowl in a second-to-none fashion (even though we may be biased).
Regardless, this year’s event for upperclassmen is in the books. Following the game last weekend, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling tabbed his full 2020 All-Senior Bowl squad.
Of those, there are a few guys that might have caught the attention of the Bills.
North running back Joshua Kelley of UCLA. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
RB Joshua Kelley| UCLA
Joshua Kelley finished with a game-high 105 yards on 15 carries. Memphis rusher Antonio Gibson was the next closest running back to his totals with 68 yards on 11 carries. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott already said this offseason he wants a one-two punch in his running game. Could that be Devin Singletary and Kelley?
Here’s how Draft Wire discussed Kelly’s output in the game:
This year’s running back group was less than inspiring on both squads, but Kelley looked the most impressive. He showed off a well-rounded skill set, and displayed the patience and vision NFL teams want to see from their backs. Kelley boosted his draft stock as much as any runner we saw in Mobile this week.
In his senior year at Bayor, Mims caught 66 passes for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Vikings have receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.
That’s good.
That’s pretty much it, though, besides last year’s seventh-round pick Bisi Johnson. The Vikings badly need depth at wide receiver.
In a mock draft over at The Athletic, the Vikings draft a receiver in the fourth round, Denzel Mims out of Baylor.
Here’s what was written about Mims:
Mims does have more work to do as a receiver, particularly when it comes to refining some of the other aspects of his route-running, especially on comeback and in-breaking routes. There are also some fair questions about whether or not he’ll be able to maintain his high level of contested-catch ability given his frame and overall strength.
The Vikings will almost certainly draft a receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft — we just don’t know where.
In his senior year at Bayor, Mims caught 66 passes for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns.
