JULY 20: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweets that the pick swap is conditional on Mims making the Lions’ 53-man roster. As a result, the deal is essentially a short-term free trial for the Lions as they look to finalize their WR depth chart in the coming weeks. A strong performance in camp and the preseason will go a long way in determining the former second-rounder’s fate as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
JULY 19: The Jets have successfully found a trade partner for wide receiver Denzel Mims, according to a report coming initially from Connor Hughes of SNY.
Despite earlier rumors that the team was near waiving the former second-round pick, New York was able to get a return on Mims’s departure, netting a conditional sixth-round pick for Mims and a 2025 seventh-round pick, as confirmed by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 
The Jets had already made it known that they were planning to move on from the three-year receiver. They went as far as to excuse Mims from reporting to training camp, feeding trade rumors that have been consistent over the past two offseasons. Mims has failed to live up to his draft slot, totaling 42 catches for 676 yards and no touchdowns in his first three years combined. There were reportedly some hints of interest coming from Dallas in Mims’s home state, but ultimately, Mims will remain in the north.
The loss won’t affect the Jets’ depth chart, as they already were planning a roster without him. The team will move forward as planned with Garrett Wilson being joined by newcomers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman as targets for new quarterback Aaron Rodgers with Corey Davis and Randall Cobb contributing, as well.
In Detroit, the Lions will hope to see Mims make an impact on the two-deep. The team had been betting on a big step forward in Year 2 of Jameson Williams‘s career, but a six-game suspension will limit Williams’s impact early. Instead, Detroit will rely on a familiar trio of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, and Kalif Raymond with Marvin Jones returning to Motown to likely see starting reps in 2023.
During the absence of WIlliams, Mims should have an opportunity to make a strong case for his role in the offense. If he can establish an early rapport with quarterback Jared Goff, the Lions could have another wideout to add to an already quality group.
Nice speculative pick up for the Lions!
For a seventh and possibly a sixth, they take about the same chance for a higher upside player. I think that Mims will actually do well with a more consistent passing game, wherever it is-and with Goff hitting his stride in Detroit and Johnson returning, I think the Lions offer more than New York did in Mims’ early years.
It’s not a 7th AND a 6th. It’s Mims + a 7th FOR a 6th.
Basically if Mims makes Detroits roster out of camp then Jets get Det 6th and Det gets their 7th rounder. If he’s cut I think it becomes basically a 7th round pick swap.
Detroit wouldn’t have given up 2 draft picks for a guy about to be released lol
I got you. I misread it.
I have a feeling on the right team, this guy is a stud, Kadarius Toney was a disappointment to the Giants but was a playmaker for the Chiefs, I think Mims could make an impact
I think having the best quarterback in the game is why To eh became a “playmaker”
Also having a coach that knows how to utilize your best talents as well. If a WR is bad in KC… they’re not good at all
That is an excellent point.
A sleeper to make the Jets’ roster now is Jason Brownlee out of Southern Mississippi who has great size for a wide out.
Well as the author says they were planning a roster without him so this move shouldn’t affect his chances
But is he on A-Rod’s vaunted list?
Oh, no, you’re mistaken about that. Rodgers didn’t have a list of players he demanded to play with. We know that to be true because he said so, and everything he says is true. Right?
He was about to be released. Lions must feel they had no chance of getting him for nothing as a FA if they’re willing to give up something to get him.
Of course, it’s the Lions….
It’s a conditional late round pick swap in two years. If he doesn’t make the roster out of camp, there won’t be a swap. It’s really not a bad move for either team.
I don’t think it’s a bad move for the Jets but why are the Lions who rank dead last in defense and need upgrades there, even looking at this guy?
The Lions have ade several additions to the defense in draft and FA. Should be improved there.
The Lions added Sutton, Moseley and CJGJ via FA, re-signed Buggs, Cominsky and Anzalone, and drafted Campbell, Branch and Martin. Try to keep up.
How does getting Mims stop them from adding on defense if an opportunity presents itself?
There are roster limits and the Bears and Vikings are desperate for those opportunities to upgrade bad defenses too.
Mims will push a WR off the active roster if he makes the team…he isn’t pushing out a defensive player. Your reasoning is illogical.
Who pissed in your Cheerios? This is a good move for both teams. He can be the deep threat they need until Jamo gets back. For a pick swap in 2 years? It’s a no-brainer.
So the Lions did not need to upgrade their D. A potential number 3 WR was a bigger need?
They upgraded their defense through the draft and got a lot of d lineman back that were hurt all last year. Not to mention, they will have Jerry Jacobs and Walker back who are decent players with the additions of Sutton, Mosley, and Gardner-Johnson. Would I love for them to add another stud defensive lineman? Sure, but they don’t come for free with just swapping late round picks.
Not to mention, no team is going to be able to pick up a stud anything on July 19. You make moves like taking a flyer on physically-gifted players who may just need a new opportunity, on low-risk conditional trade swaps on July 19.
I’m hearing that Ndamukong Suh might be heading back to Detroit. Though he’s old and not the player he was when the Lions drafted him he’s still an upgrade.
That’s news to me. He wanted out of Detroit after his first stint. Don’t see why he would come back now.
As I said to lemon, they’ve made at least 9 moves to improve the defense. Besides, name one defensive player with the upside of Mims that could be had for a conditional 6th-round pick.
You can make lots of moves without any of them actually panning out the way you wanted. The Lions have a long history of doing exactly that. Mims might help the offense but if your defense can’t stop anyone, how do you get him on the field to find out?
The Chiefs were 15th in the league and won the SB…. If you’ve been watching, the Lions have clearly improved their defense… they will beat a lot of teams if they’re in the top 20 defensively which is not a stretch to happen… like every team, health is a concern… but if they stay relatively healthy they’ll be in most games with that top 5 offense.
The defense was passable during most of their end of the season rally. Once the rookies got comfortable they were fine. They added a ton in the offseason to their defense already.
Something else is at work here. You just traded the farm for a guy that throws the ball like no one the Jets has ever had, thus this enigma might finally have his a-ha year, but no, you trade him for a couple of conditional picks that most likely won’t ever be seen?
Mims can’t catch. Under 45% catch ratio. The Jets know that first hand. And Mims must be a pain in the neck. The Lions do need a burner, and Goff throws very catchable passes. It might work out for the Lions adding a deep threat to their game.
Mims dropping A-Rod’s passes…that wouldn’t work.
Is Mims’ catch ratio low because he “can’t catch” or because the QB’s throwing to him weren’t very accurate (perhaps because they’ve been rushed)?? The notion you hear a lot of critics claim, that if you can touch the ball you should be able to catch is nonsense; if you have to stretch too far or if a DB is making a well-timed play on the ball then the receiver is not likely to catch it. Sure, no receiver should expect perfectly-thrown passes all the time, but receivers can be coached to catch better. A receiver can’t be taught to run significantly faster or jump significantly higher. The Lions have nothing to lose by taking a good, long look at Mims.
This is low risk move to add a deep threat until they get Jamison Williams back after 6 games. If it works out fine, if not they didn’t give up a lot.
Why can no one read?
It’s not Mims for a 6th and 7th round pick
It’s Mims and a 7th FOR a 6th round pick — IF MIMS MAKES THE TEAM OUT OF CAMP. If he doesn’t then it’s no harm no foul for either team
must be a personality thing. another good move by the Lions. Is the 70 year wait nearly over. Yup my father in law was there in 57 the last time the Lions won a championship.
The division is wide open for the Lions.
I like this bet on Mims. They could use a guy right NOW if they want to beat the Vikes, Bears and Pack for the division. No need to wait around for Jameson.
A change of scenery could do well for Mims. He could just need opportunity.
An actual NFC team is actually making a move to at least try to improve or get some depth. Every story this whole year has been AFC team signs this or that player. NFC team trades to AFC team. Seems like only AFC teams are making moves or all player movement rumors are to AFC. Are these teams at the cap? Tanking for their shot at their own QB in the next draft? Figure what they have is not going to dent Eagles. 49er dominance or not even good enough to challenge Seahawks and Cowboys?