When Denzel Mims was traded last week from the Jets to the Lions, the first person to hit him up was Jared Goff. The two of them spent about a half hour on the phone talking about Mims' new opportunity in Detroit. Mims said they dove straight into the playbook, quarterback and receiver trying to get on the same page.
"It means he believes in me," Mims said Monday after his second practice with the Lions. "It means he sees a lot in me. And to have a quarterback like that, that gives you a lot more confidence."
By contrast, here are the primary quarterbacks Mims had over three seasons in New York: Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mike White. And here's where the Jets ranked in passer rating each of those seasons: 30th, 28th, 32nd. Goff ranked seventh last season at 99.3, for an offense that scored the fifth most points in the NFL. You can understand Mims' excitement. You can appreciate why the former second-round pick believes he's ready to make good on his gifts.
"I’m excited to show what I can do, I’m going to show what I can do and I’m just blessed to be here, honestly," he said.
He's here, for starters, to help the Lions compensate for the loss of Jameson Williams for the first six games of the season. More specifically, to help them stretch the field. Mims has elite speed and a 6'3 frame. In the words of Goff, "Big, tall and fast." And while he never put it together with the Jets, catching just 19 passes the past two seasons (and 42 passes total), that's partly why he wants to succeed so badly in Detroit.
Think he's got a chip on his shoulder?
"Sh*t yeah," said Mims. "Damn right. I got a chip on my shoulder, fasho. It’s time for me to show it, though. And I’m ready to show it."
Asked what kept him from showing it with the Jets, Mims said, "You probably have to talk to them with that. I kind of got no control in that. I did everything I could there, but I’m a Detroit Lion now. They got faith in me, they believe in me."
Mims had requested a trade from the Jets last summer after a rocky first season under a new coaching staff, but they didn't grant it. He spent most of the ensuing season in a backup role. They were prepared to release him last week until the Lions swooped in with a trade, a late-round pick swap in 2025 dependent on Mims making Detroit's 53-man roster this season. He already sounds happier: "I love Detroit. I love the coaches, I love the current players. The vibes here are a lot better."
Mims, 25, battled various health issues in New York, including a hamstring injury that cost him nearly half his rookie season and a bout of food poisoning that knocked him down the Jets' depth chart entering year two. He also drew criticism for sometimes sloppy route-running and a resistance to playing on special teams. Neither will fly with the Lions.
But the Lions are getting a motivated receiver, in a contract season. Mims had to push back his meeting with the media from Sunday to Monday because he was putting in extra work with receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El after the first practice of camp. He seems to know what's on the line: "Been in early, staying late, pretty much got the playbook down already."
"It’s a big opportunity for me and there’s a lot out there, a lot of spots out there. I’m just ready to go out there and earn one," said Mims.
“This guy has the ability and let’s see if we can do something," Dan Campbell said Sunday. "Let’s see if a change in scenery helps. It’s the traits. We know the kid will work. We’ve heard that. He has a level of toughness about him, so let’s see where we can take it.”
It feels like a long time ago now, but Mims was one of the shiniest receivers in a draft that produced stars like Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and Tee Higgins. He clocked the fifth fastest 40 and the fastest three-cone drill at the 2020 combine before going 59th overall. Three years later, he's still searching for his first NFL touchdown.
"He's obviously had different things happen throughout his career, but lands here, we’re excited about him and I’m certainly excited about him," said Goff. "I can’t wait to work with him, I’ve told him that, and know he brings an element to our team that we can use."
And what, exactly, does Mims do best?
"Everything," he said. "I can do everything, and I’m finally going to get to show it."
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