2020 NFL Draft: Denzel Mims could climb into first round

Following a strong performance on Thursday at the NFL Combine, Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims has made his case to be a first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Entering the 2020 NFL Combine, most projections had Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims projected somewhere as a second or early third round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. In what’s considered the deepest wide receiver draft in the last two decades, Mims was caught in the middle of the pack.

After Thursday’s workouts and drills, however, Mims made a strong case that’s he should be considered a much more valued prospect in this years class of pass catchers.

Mims wowed with a 4.38 second 40-yard dash, the third fastest posted time ran at this years scouting combine. He also had a vertical jump of 38.5 inches and a broad jump of 131 inches, both near the tops of the participants on Thursday.

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Why Mims was overlooked is due in large part to him not playing the position for long. Mims was a multi-sport star in high school, and was extremely dominant at track and as a quarterback. An injury to his shoulder made him switch positions, and while it took some time to really grow into the position, Mims kept working on his new craft.

His hard work helped him eventually break out at Baylor, where he finished with nearly 3,000 yards receiving and 28 touchdowns. Mims was a large reason for Baylor’s turnaround the last few seasons, where the team went from a 1-11 finish just a few seasons ago to a Big 12 Championship game appearance in 2019.

Denzel Mims showed everyone who had been sleeping on him that he’s a real deal in this year’s draft class. He’ll be able to use his track skills, as well as the skills he’s been developing over the past few seasons, to help a wide receiver needy team. Someone at the back end of the first round, such as the New Orleans Saints or Green Bay Packers, who need to bolster their wide receiving corps would be smart to consider Mims should he be there.