Former New York Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Lions acquire former heralded second rounder from Jets

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/19/23

A year after formally requesting a trade, wideout Denzel Mims finally has a new home. On Wednesday night, the New York Jets traded the former second-round pick to the Detroit Lions, who bolster their wideout unit.

In exchange for Mims and a 2025 seventh-round pick, the Lions will send a 2025 sixth-round pick to New York, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Lions trading for Jets WR Denzel Mims. (via @rapsheet, @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/KoyY440noU
— NFL (@NFL) July 20, 2023

A selection from the Adam Gase era, Mims never quite fit in with Robert Saleh at the helm. Following one season under Saleh, Mims requested a trade from the Jets ahead of the 2022 season.

Nevertheless, Mims stayed put in New York, playing sparingly last season. The 25-year-old suited up for only 10 games, starting four, hauling in 11 of 25 targets for 186 yards.

The Jets selected Mims 59th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft after he posted a standout career at Baylor. However, Mims failed to make much of an impact over three seasons.

While Mims averaged 16.1 yards per catch, he never found a role within the Jets' offense, recording 42 receptions (92 targets) for 676 yards over 30 career games.

Now, Mims will get a fresh start in Detroit, hoping a change of scenery might jumpstart his career, playing alongside an impressive wide receiving core, highlighted by Amon-Ra St. Brown and game-breaker Jameson Williams.

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