Detroit Lions Confident Denzel Mims Will Work Hard for Spot

Prior to the start of training camp, the Lions knew they needed wide receivers help. So, they went out and acquired wide receiver Denzel Mims from the N.Y. Jets.

Mims, a second-round pick of the Jets in 2020 (No. 59 overall), didn’t find much success in his three seasons in New York.

The 6-foot-3, 207-pounder failed to record a single touchdown, and compiled a total of only 42 receptions for 676 yards. Additionally, in his final campaign with the Jets, he suited up for only 10 games, and amassed just 11 catches for 186 yards.

Mims, who turns 26 on October 10, now has a new opportunity to prove his worth, and he’ll do so in a Detroit receivers room that will be without Jameson Williams for the first six games of the 2023 regular season.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell knows that Mims possesses definite ability.

“He's a guy that's got tools,” Campbell said of Mims on Day 1 of Lions training camp Sunday. “He's a big receiver, and he's got speed, he's got length. And, (it’s) kind of relative to what you want to work with. This guy's got the ability, and let's see if we can do something. Let's see if a change of scenery helps this guy.

“And so, you know, it was just the traits. And, we know the kid will work, we've heard that. You know, he's got a level of toughness about him. So, let's see where we can take it.”

Mims, who requested a trade from the Jets last year, reportedly was informed by the franchise that he would be released if a trade partner was unable to be found earlier this week.

Luckily for the Jets, Brad Holmes and Detroit came calling. The third-year Lions general manager dealt a conditional sixth-round pick to the New York-based AFC organization in exchange for Mims and a seventh-rounder.

Additionally, to make room for the fourth-year wideout on the roster, Detroit parted ways with Michael Badgley. It released the veteran kicker on Thursday.

Similar to Campbell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit’s leading receiver in 2022, touched upon the immense size that Mims brings to the receiver position.

“He’s a big guy. It was my first time seeing him run today. But, he can run, he’s tall. And, when you combine speed with size, I mean, at the receiver position, you’re not bound to be successful. But, you already have that upper edge over a lot of receivers,” St. Brown expressed, when talking about Mims Sunday. “So, I’m excited to see what he does. Like I said, I only saw him one day, but it’s going to be fun to watch him during camp and the preseason.”