Getty Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims could be a potential trade target for the Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys may be in the market to trade for a new wide receiver with James Washington and Michael Gallup both sidelined with injuries. Jeff Cavanaugh of Dallas the Eagle 97.1 outlined four potential trade candidates the Cowboy’s could pursue – Jalen Reagor, Darius Slayton, Preston Williams and Denzel Mims.
We previously championed Reagor and Williams, but the former Baylor wide receiver is also an intriguing name to watch. Despite a strong training camp, Mims may find it difficult to carve out a consistent role given the Jets’ crowded wide receiver group.
“Denzel Mims New York Jets, they’re loaded at receiver now,” Cavanaugh explained during an Aug. 4, 2022 training camp update. “Garrett Wilson, they just selected in the first round. Elijah Moore they drafted a year ago. Corey Davis is there. Braxton Berrios plays more than Denzel Mims.
“So, that’s my fourth name. That’s another guy, he’s a big kid [who] could line up as their X catcher on the line of scrimmage and give him a chance there.”
The Jets have used high draft picks to select receivers in the two subsequent drafts since obtaining Mims in 2020 with the No. 59 overall selection. Cavanaugh suggested that all four trade targets could potentially be acquired for a future Day 3 pick. Despite the trade rumors, Connor Hughes of SNY TV reported that Mims has not requested a trade.
“Denzel Mims’ agent is visiting the Jets today,” Hughes tweeted on Aug. 6. “He has not requested a trade, nor does he plan to request a trade, according to sources. I saw that out there. Not true.”
Mims has yet to score an NFL touchdown.
Mims has struggled to perform consistently during his two seasons in the league. The Jets receiver has yet to secure his first NFL touchdown and has struggled to stay on the field playing in just 20 games in his first two seasons. Mims recorded 31 receptions for 490 yards during his two years in the NFL.
Mims recorded an incredibly fast 4.38 40-yard dash time during the pre-draft combine. Having seen Mims during 2020 Senior Bowl week, the former Baylor wide receiver was one of the best players at the position during practices in Mobile. At just 24 years old, there’s still a good chance Mims has a lot of untapped potentials, especially in the Cowboy’s offense. Heading into the draft, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had Mims ranked as his No. 6 receiver with a first- to second-round grade, describing the playmaker as a “high-potential receiver.”
“He became the only player in college soccer to score at least eight receiving touchdowns in each of the last three years,” Brugler wrote in his 2020 draft guide. “Mims has the athletic ability to win at all levels of the field, but on tape, he was at his best on a straight line or single-cut routes (slants, posts, go’s, etc.), although he showed a much-improved pattern. movement at the Senior Bowl.
“He shows the ability to make impressive extension grabs, but his ball skills are inconsistent, especially with a defensive back coming to the receiving spot. Overall, Mims needs to become a more consistent route technician, but he offers the length and contested receiving ability of a big receiver while moving like a much smaller athlete to create separation, projecting as a tall receiver.”
Could a current Cowboys receiver replace Washington?
The trade flutter is the result of both Washington and Gallup recovering from injuries. Gallup is unlikely to play Week 1 but is expected to return to the field sooner rather than later. Considering the Amari Cooper trade, the Cowboys wide receiver depth chart is concerning unless some of the young receivers can step up.
Rookie Jalen Tolbert may slide into the team’s WR2 role until Gallup is fully healthy, but Simi Fehoko along with Noah Brown has also had strong camps. The Athletic’s Jon Machota called Fehoko the biggest surprise of training camp thanks to his impressive play.
“Noah Brown was also in consideration. Both wide receivers have stepped up recently since James Washington injured his foot,” Machota wrote on Aug. 10. make contested catches in traffic.
“Fehoko only played in five games last year as a rookie. He was on the field only seven offensive plays all season. He looks ready to contribute in Year 2, which the Cowboys desperately need considering how thin they are at the position.”
