After a standout junior season at Oklahoma, where Marvin Mims Jr. exceeded 1,000 receiving yards and recorded a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, the Denver Broncos selected him in the second round of the 2023 draft.
Despite showcasing significant big-play ability and top-tier athleticism, Broncos head coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi took a conservative approach with Mims during his rookie year.
Entering his second NFL season, the Broncos are in need of a wide receiver to emerge as a leader and support rookie quarterback Bo Nix in his debut year. With a full offseason of preparation and an open competition to become the team’s top receiver, Mims Jr. is poised for a breakout season in 2024.
“I think we’ll see a lot of growth from Year 1 to Year 2.”
– Broncos HC Sean Payton on Marvin Mims
(via @CoachspeakIndex)
pic.twitter.com/mshmohSDcE— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) May 30, 2024
Marvin Mims Jr.: A Breakout Candidate for the Denver Broncos in 2024
Marvin Mims Jr.’s performance through the early part of the 2023 NFL season set him apart as a potential breakout star for the Denver Broncos. During the first four weeks, Mims Jr. ranked among the top receivers in Next Gen Stats’ Receiving Yards Over Expected (RecYOE), trailing only elite names such as Justin Jefferson, Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Brandon Aiyuk. Remarkably, Mims Jr. achieved this on just nine receptions, a stark contrast to Jefferson’s 33, Collins’ 22, Diggs’ 31, and Aiyuk’s 17.
By the season’s end, Mims Jr. had accumulated the fifth-highest RecYOE among rookies, despite having 15 fewer receptions than the next player on the list, Michael Wilson. His performance metrics underline his explosive capability and efficiency on the field, which includes an impressive average route speed of 14.93 mph, placing him sixth in the NFL among players with at least 200 routes run. In a standout Week 2 performance against the Washington Commanders, Mims Jr. showcased his game-breaking speed by reaching over 20 mph on three of his four touches in the first half.
Despite these promising indicators, Mims Jr. was utilized in a limited role during his rookie season. He participated in routes on just 40.3 percent of Denver’s 607 dropbacks, placing him fourth on the team in route participation. His usage was restricted, with more than 50 percent of offensive snaps only twice during the season. This limited usage was surprising given the investment in Mims Jr. and his early performances.
The Broncos’ offense saw significant changes in the offseason, including the trade of Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns. This move opens up a substantial opportunity for Mims Jr. to take on a larger role. While the team has added Josh Reynolds and drafted Troy Franklin, Mims Jr.’s explosive playmaking abilities position him as a high-upside candidate for a significant role in the upcoming season.
In fantasy football circles, Mims Jr. is currently drafted as the Broncos’ WR3. However, he is often overlooked in favor of more established names like Courtland Sutton, who is recognized as Denver’s top receiving option. Remarkably, rookie Troy Franklin, who has yet to play a professional snap, is drafted ahead of Mims Jr. in some circles, indicating a potential undervaluation of Mims’ capabilities.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has expressed confidence in Mims Jr.’s growth, suggesting that he could play a more prominent role in the 2024 season. Payton also hinted at the possibility of Mims Jr. contributing on special teams as a returner, noting his speed and the strengths observed on tape.
With the expectation of an expanded role and increased opportunities, Marvin Mims Jr. is well-positioned to make a significant impact in 2024. For fantasy managers, he represents a potential late-round gem with the ability to deliver game-changing performances, making him a player to watch as the season unfolds.
