HEADLINES

Marvin Mims

Broncos Fielded Deadline Offers On WR Jerry Jeudy

November 9th, 2023 at 2:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

It turned out to be a quiet trade deadline for the Broncos, despite the Randy Gregory deal signaling the team was prepared to make moves. While the team set a lofty asking price to even start conversations on Patrick Surtain and discussed Justin Simmons, its most frequently mentioned trade piece stayed put as well.

Jerry Jeudy has been mentioned as a trade piece since before the 2022 deadline. Offers poured in for the former first-round pick last year, coming as the Broncos’ offense bottomed out weeks into the Nathaniel Hackett–Russell Wilson partnership. Jeudy, who drew interest from the Cowboys and Giants last year, still led that dysfunctional Denver team in receiving — with a career-high 972 yards — and Sean Payton reopened the door to a trade this offseason. But no team is believed to have come especially close to the asking price the Broncos set this year. The Browns and Patriots were mentioned as spring suitors; both moved in different directions, Cleveland trading for Elijah Moore and New England signing JuJu Smith-Schuster.

That continued in the weeks before the deadline. Denver had set a first-round price on Jeudy this offseason, while asking for a second in exchange for Courtland Sutton. The latter is believed to have generated a back-and-forth between the Broncos and Ravens, with a deal being scuttled and Baltimore going with Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency. Going into this year’s deadline, Sutton was viewed as less likely to be moved than Jeudy, who has been inconsistent in Payton’s attack.

Interest in Jeudy was believed to have declined this season, to the point a third-round pick was mentioned as potential compensation. Though, the Colts inquired earlier this fall. It is unclear if the Broncos received a third-round offer for Jeudy, but Payton confirmed (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) offers came in just before last week’s deadline. They were not enough to convince Payton and GM George Paton to move on from Jeudy, who is signed through 2024 via the fifth-year option.

“We’re not the ones to be interviewed,” Payton said of the trade deadline. “Go ask the people that are purchasing. We’re building and putting a team together. We kind of went through this in the offseason with a handful of players. He’s an important part and important piece of what we’re doing. … Shoot, he’s a guy we think is dynamic.”

The Broncos holding out for a better offer points to yet another round of Jeudy trade rumors in 2024, when he will be tied to a fully guaranteed $12.99MM. With 2024 being a Jeudy contract year, the Broncos will need to make a final determination on their plans for the shifty but inconsistent performer. The Alabama alum will have a chance to rebuild his trade value down the stretch this season. In seven games, Jeudy has 336 receiving yards — second on the team to Sutton’s 380 — and one touchdown.

Payton also said the goal will be to involve second-round rookie Marvin Mims more in the offense. For a stretch to start the season, Mims was pacing the Broncos in receiving yardage despite holding a part-time role. Sutton and Jeudy have caught up, but the Oklahoma alum is averaging 22.4 yards per catch (11/246). Mims entered the bye week, however, having not caught a pass in three games. He holds a 30% offensive snap share.

Mims’ progression during the season’s second half, however, could end up being a determinant in how the Broncos proceed with Jeudy and Sutton. The latter is signed through 2025, but no guarantees remain on the deal after this season.

Broncos Agree To Deal With Round 2 WR Marvin Mims

May 16th, 2023 at 9:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos were without a first-round selection in this year’s draft, but their top pick is still expected to be an impactful contributor for the short- and intermediate-term future. Second-round receiver Marvin Mims has agreed to terms on his rookie deal, as noted (on Twitter) by Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.

Tomasson adds that the four-year, $6.07MM deal will include a signing bonus of $1.41MM and guranteed money for the first two seasons. The Broncos had experienced a slightly longer negotiating period with Mims compared to their later draftees (as is often the case with second-rounders), but they have now secured all but one member – third-round linebacker Drew Sanders – of their draft class.

Denver made a small move up the board to select Mims with the No. 63 pick. Doing so added further to their stable of receivers, a position group which has been the subject of plenty of trade talk and speculation this offseason. Both Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy have been the source of interest from other teams, but each now appears likely to remain in the Mile High City. The latter had his fifth-year option picked up, keeping him in the fold through 2024; Sutton’s deal runs through 2025.

The younger brother of Denzel Mims, Marvin spent his college career at Oklahoma. Across his three seasons there, he established himself as a dangerous vertical threat, averaging 19.5 yards per catch and scoring 20 touchdowns. His best season came in 2022, when he recorded 1,083 yards and six scores on 54 receptions. Those totals helped make Mims the eighth receiver to hear his name called during the draft.

KJ Hamler was drafted in 2020 to provide the Broncos with a deep threat, but his NFL career has been marred by injuries. The former second-rounder has been limited to 23 games (and just six starts) in three years, so Mims could compete with him for playing time right away. With Hamler entering the final year of his rookie contract, his performance relative to Mims in particular could go a long way in determining his future in Denver.

Lions Trade No. 63 To Broncos

April 28th, 2023 at 8:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Lions will make another second-round trade with an AFC West team, sending Nos. 63 and 183 overall to the Broncos in exchange for Nos. 68 and 139 (Twitter link via Lions reporter Tim Twentyman). Denver selected Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims.

Considering the Broncos have held intermittent trade talks regarding Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, this selection is an eyebrow-raising move. Mims will add another young element to a Denver passing game which struggled to establish production or consistency in 2022. That was an especially disappointing development considering the expectations the team faced.

Mims – the younger brother of the Jets’ Denzel Mims – followed him by playing in the Big 12 in college. The Sooners pass-catcher enjoyed an intriguing freshman campaign, totaling 610 yards and nine touchdowns. He was once again a major deep threat in 2021, but his most productive campaign came last year.

The 5-11, 177-pounder racked up 1,083 yards and six touchdowns on 54 receptions in 2022. His 20.1 yards-per-catch average established himself as a dynamic field-stretcher. His frame made him similar to many other WRs in this year’s class, though, which no doubt contributed to his wait to hear his name called. He will now join an intriguing situation in the NFL.

Denver faces plenty of expectation once again with Sean Payton now at the helm. He has insisted that neither Jeudy nor Sutton will be on the move, and that pair will top the team’s depth chart in 2023 presuming they do indeed remain in the fold. Mims will look to fill the deep-speed position occupied by KJ Hamler, who has struggled to stay healthy during his three years in the NFL. If the latter were to depart in free agency, Mims could be well-positioned to take his place for the long-term future.