When Denver Broncos rookie kick return specialist Marvin Mims Jr. was selected to the Pro Bowl and named an A.P. second-team All-Pro, it helped put a much more positive spin on GM George Paton's polarizing 2023 draft class.
Indeed, Paton deserves kudos for his bold decision to trade up into the second round to take Mims, especially when he knew the initial vision was to predominantly use the 21-year-old wideout as a returner.
Further validation of Paton's oft-disputed ability to spot talent came via Mims' selection to the NFL All-Rookie team this week. Mims' impressive first-year debut helped turn around a previously dismal Broncos special teams unit in short order.
Paton underlined Mims' immediate impact in Denver during the GM's end-of-season press conference.
"We were in the bottom of the league in special teams my first two years here," Paton said back on January 9.
Just how improved the Broncos were on special teams is contingent upon which metric is used to measure it. Assistant head coach and long-time special teams czar Mike Westhoff apparently has his own ranking system.
"[It] depends on what rankings you look at," Paton said. "If you look at Westhoff's, we're first, but we're probably in the Top-5."
There was much to like about the value Mims delivered as the 63rd overall pick in the last draft, but his kick-returning threat can be nullified by the thin air of Denver's home games. To get even more production out of Mims, the Broncos will have to increase his involvement in Sean Payton's offense.
Paton seems to understand that Mims needs to take that next step as a reliable pass-catcher if his 2023 draft class is going to reach its potential.
"I think it was a really good rookie class," Paton said. "You didn't see it on Sundays all the time, but we saw it in practice. Marvin Mims had a Pro Bowl year as a returner. [He's a] work in progress as a receiver, but he had some really big moments."
While the Broncos are obviously keen to develop Mims' acumen as a receiver, on the flip side, they don't want to regress back to square one and take away his ability to make house calls as a returner. Maximizing both roles might be difficult next season if the renewed trade rumors surrounding wideouts Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton hold water.
History tells us that straight-line speed offers a one-dimensional advantage in a league where cornerbacks are fast and plenty smart themselves. Mims will also have to prove that his ball security issues, which were particularly glaring against the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve, were just a temporary blimp that he can overcome.
In truth, there is no reason why the explosive Mims can't build on the impressive foundation his special teams play has afforded him. However, becoming a much more savvy route runner will take time and dedication on the part of the player and the coaches.
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