Cowboys Announce Release of Former Second-Round Pick

The Dallas Cowboys trimmed their roster Saturday, releasing wide receiver Denzel Mims one day after a 27-24 preseason loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Mims, a former second-round draft pick, failed to stick after a brief look during training camp and the exhibition schedule.

“WR Denzel Mims has been informed of his release from the Cowboys, per source,” ESPN’s Todd Archer reported on X.

The 28-year-old finished the preseason with one catch for minus-1 yard. That production was not enough to crack a crowded receiver group already featuring CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin and Tyler Johnson.

Several other players made stronger cases for the last few roster spots. Jordan Hudson stood out with eight receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown across three games. Camden Brown added four catches for 89 yards and two scores. Jonathan Mingo posted four receptions for 82 yards, while Marquez Valdes-Scantling had three catches for 45 yards.

Mims last appeared in an NFL regular season game in 2022. He recorded 42 receptions for 676 yards over three seasons with the New York Jets after they selected him 59th overall in the 2020 draft out of Baylor.

He later spent time with the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars but never played in a game for those clubs. He also suited up for the St. Louis Battlehawks and Dallas Renegades in the United Football League before signing with the Cowboys in June.

Dallas used Saturday for more than just cuts. The team acquired offensive tackle Broderick Jones, a former first-round pick, from the Steelers in exchange for third- and sixth-round selections in 2027. Pittsburgh received a 2027 fourth-round pick in the deal.

The Cowboys also learned they will be without linebacker Marist Liufau for an extended stretch. Liufau fractured his left forearm against the Saints and is scheduled for surgery.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the roster process after the preseason finale.

“As a coaching staff, these next 24 hours plus, we do focus on our own roster and our guys, the guys that we know, the guys that we love, the guys that we care about, the guys that I’ve gotten to know their families, that I’ve gotten to know what motivates them, why they play this game,” Schottenheimer said.

“And the personnel guys and the scouts, they’re diving into potential other roster moves and that’s part of the business. But we’ve got some time, but we have to make sure we get the decisions right, which we will, about our roster first. And then of course we handle it the right way with the guys that we love and care about.”

NFL teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players by Sunday afternoon. Waiver claims are processed Monday.

Mims signed a one-year deal in June as part of a group of UFL players the Cowboys added after minicamp. He hoped to contribute as a deep threat and special-teams option but never found consistent targets.

The Cowboys now turn their attention to finalizing the 53-man roster and preparing for the regular-season opener. Depth at wide receiver remains a point of emphasis after last season’s injuries and free-agent movement.

Jones is expected to compete for snaps on the offensive line, giving Dallas another option after recent investments in the trenches. Liufau’s absence will test the linebacker room early in the year.

Mims can now explore opportunities with other teams once he clears waivers. At 28, he still possesses the size and speed that once made him a mid-round prospect, though production has been hard to come by since leaving New York.

The Cowboys’ receiver room appears set at the top with Lamb and Pickens. The remaining spots will go to players who showed more during the preseason than Mims managed.

Saturday’s moves reflect the usual late-August shuffle as clubs weigh veterans against younger players who impressed in limited action. Hudson and Brown in particular gave the coaching staff reasons to keep them around.

Schottenheimer and the personnel staff will spend the next day locking in the group they believe can compete in the NFC East. The decisions, he said, start with the players already in the building.