The New York Jets have parted ways with one of their former top draft picks, Denzel Mims, as they gear up for the upcoming training camp. According to sources, the Jets were finalizing a trade with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday night to send the fourth-year wide receiver to the Motor City.
The deal, as reported by NFL Network, involves a pick swap in 2025. In exchange for Mims, Detroit will be sending the Jets a conditional sixth-round pick, while acquiring a seventh-rounder.
Mims, a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, had a somewhat tumultuous tenure with the Jets, failing to gain the trust of head coach Robert Saleh and his staff. This situation led the Jets to inform Mims that they were considering releasing him if a suitable trade partner was not found. Consequently, Mims was excused from reporting for training camp with the rest of the team on Wednesday.
Throughout his time with the Jets, Mims participated in 30 games, managing to record 42 receptions for 676 yards. However, he was unable to find the end zone for a touchdown during his tenure with the team.
The disconnect between Mims and the Jets had been evident for quite some time, dating back two years. As the players reported for the start of the training camp, the inevitable divorce between Mims and the Jets finally came to fruition. The first practice under the new circumstances is scheduled for Thursday.
Denzel Mims’ rollercoaster journey with the Jets
Mims initially caught the Jets’ attention with his impressive speed, standing at 6-foot-3 and running a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. However, hamstring injuries marred his rookie season, and he struggled to fully impress under former head coach Adam Gase.
The coaching staff transitioned after the 2020 season, with Robert Saleh taking the reins along with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Unfortunately for Mims, things did not improve. A bout of food poisoning during the spring sent him down the depth chart, and he struggled to earn the coaches’ confidence.
While he managed to play in 11 games in 2021, Mims’ contributions were limited, amassing just eight catches for 133 yards throughout the season. The Jets’ desire to see him play on special teams further complicated matters, as Mims resisted this role, leading to his limited playing time.
The wide receiver’s frustration reached a boiling point last August when he requested a trade, a request the Jets did not fulfill. He briefly shone in a preseason game against the Giants, but this glimmer of success did not translate to the regular season.
Despite a change in offensive coordinator, Mims’ fortunes did not improve during the 2022 season. He found himself relegated to a backup role, finishing the season with a mere 11 catches for 186 yards.
The situation did not improve during the offseason, as Mims left organized team activities due to dissatisfaction with his usage in practice. This decision prompted discussions between the Jets and Mims‘ representatives about parting ways, culminating in the recent trade with the Lions.
Now, Mims will have a fresh start with the Detroit Lions, while the Jets will continue their preparations for the upcoming training camp with a revamped receiving corps. Only time will tell if this move proves beneficial for both parties involved.
