New Broncos receiver is a perfect fit for HC Sean Payton
Broncos HC Sean Payton continues to carefully construct his offense and might just have selected a receiver tailored for it during Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
Denver traded up into the second round to get Payton's guy, selecting Oklahoma's Marvin Mims Jr. at No. 63 overall on Friday.
NFL.com draft expert Daniel Jeremiah has comped Mims to former Broncos wide receiver and two-time Pro Bowler Emmanuel Sanders, who helped the organization win Super Bowl 50 back in 2016. Sanders also played for Payton with the New Orleans Saints in 2020.
Mims Jr. is an excellent downfield passing threat given his speed (4.38 40-yard dash). During his final season at Oklahoma, he used that speed to average 20.1 yards per catch, third in the FBS.
Denver needs a WR who can stretch the field, as its passing offense was a static one lacking for any kind of verve last season, finishing 19th in yards and 23rd in touchdowns. The Broncos adding depth to their wide receivers room should help QB Russell Wilson, who is coming off the worst year of his career. In 15 starts, Wilson posted career lows in passing TDs (16), completion percentage (60.5) and passer rating (84.4).
Not all of the QB's struggles fall on him. Outside Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, Denver had a thin receiver corps last fall, especially after Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler suffered season-ending injuries.
In 2023, Denver could have as many as six viable receivers with the signing of Marquez Callaway and the addition of Mims Jr. While Denver's WR room appears crowded, Payton can make it work if anybody can
In 2011, he crafted a Saints offense that set an NFL record for yards (7,474 yards in 16 games). That offense had three players who rolled for 80 or more receptions and four who recorded seven or more receiving touchdowns.
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