Photo Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos might have a secret weapon in wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. With his speed and ability to create big plays, Mims has shown flashes of brilliance, leaving fans and analysts wondering: why isn’t he getting the ball more?
Growing Role in the Offense
Head coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi have gradually increased Mims’ involvement in recent weeks, experimenting with new ways to get the ball into his hands.
“[He is] a talented player, and finding ways to get him the ball is important,” Lombardi said. “I think we’ve done a better job of that lately and will continue to do so.”
Through the first nine games, Mims had only seven catches for 56 yards and one rushing attempt for 17 yards. However, over the last four games, he’s posted 12 receptions for 211 yards, two touchdowns, and nine carries for 23 yards.
While his offensive snap count has only slightly increased—from 15 per game in Weeks 1-9 to 16.5 in Weeks 10-13—his impact has grown significantly.
Big Plays on Display
Mims showcased his game-changing ability during the Broncos’ Week 13 win against the Cleveland Browns. On a critical third-and-11 from Denver’s 7-yard line, Mims lined up in the slot, sprinted past defenders, and caught a perfectly placed pass from quarterback Bo Nix for a 93-yard touchdown.
“It was kind of a read-the-field route for me,” Mims said. “They ended up being in a cover-2, and I had the middle open and they kind of just shot it. Bo ended up trusting me and putting the ball in a perfect place, literally. It ended up being a big play for us.”
The touchdown marked the longest passing score for the Broncos since 2008 and was Nix’s first NFL completion of more than 50 yards. It also served as a reminder of Mims’ ability to stretch the field and force defenses to respect Denver’s deep threat.
Expanding His Role
Payton has acknowledged that the team may have underutilized Mims early in the season. To address that, he has begun lining Mims up in the backfield, inspired by the receiver’s success as a return specialist.
“I think as a coach, I’m mad at myself that we didn’t begin looking at this earlier,” Payton said. “Watching him return punts, you see his vision and how it translates to certain runs and passing plays.”
One example of Mims’ versatility came in Week 12 against the Raiders. Lined up as a running back in a three-wide-receiver set, Mims ran a short route to the left, catching a 37-yard pass when the defense failed to cover him.
This dual-threat capability puts defenses in a difficult position: should they treat Mims as a running back or as a fourth receiver?
“That third down-and-(5) where he kind of leaked out of the backfield, they dropped the coverage, it was hard for them to find,” Payton said. “… It’s hard to figure out what direction he’s going. It’s allowed us to expand some packages with him … We do give a lot of thought to what we think we’ll get defensively based on the other people that are in there with him.”
Praise from Teammates
Mims’ teammates have noticed his hard work and growing contributions.
“He’s been waiting for his opportunity to go out there and let it shine, and he did that.” Said Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton after last Monday night’s win over the Browns. ” … Marvin works really hard. He’s a really quiet guy. He doesn’t say a whole bunch, and just does the work he’s supposed to do. That’s all you can ask for.”
Nix also praised Mims’ game-breaking potential. “Marvin, with his speed, (I) just had to get it out there,” Nix said. “He did a great job splitting the field. Their guy couldn’t get to it. Just kind of heard the crowd go crazy, and it was one of those awesome plays that you don’t get often, but they’re pretty fun.”
Playoff Push
With the Broncos in the hunt for a playoff spot, Mims’ growing role could be a game-changer. His ability to create explosive plays and force defensive adjustments adds a new dimension to Denver’s offense.
If the Broncos continue to tap into Mims’ potential, he could be the X-factor that helps them make a deep postseason run.
Related Content: Bo Nix, Sutton Bond Fuels Broncos’ Playoff Push
This report used information from ESPN.
