Will Marvin Mims Jr. Break Out for the Broncos in 2025?

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. is heading into his third NFL season with big goals — and momentum on his side.

One of his best moments came last December in a game against the Bengals. Although the Broncos lost 30–24 in overtime, Mims had a breakout performance with eight catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores came in the fourth quarter — one was a 51-yard catch-and-run, and the other a tough, contested grab in the end zone with eight seconds left to send the game to overtime.

“It was really big for me,” Mims said. “It’s weird, but when you’re in college, guys make plays all the time, that’s how we all get here. But you get here [in the NFL] and those plays are much more difficult to be a part of consistently. … I think that game alone maybe gave the coaches a different way to look at me.”

That game gave Mims career-highs in receptions and tied his personal best in touchdowns. It was also a reminder of his big-play ability — something the Broncos hope to unlock more often this season.

Trying to Earn a Bigger Role

Mims has had flashes of brilliance, but his offensive opportunities have been limited. In the first nine games of the 2024 season, he had one or fewer receptions in eight of them. In five of the first seven games, he played 12 or fewer offensive snaps.

Things started to shift midseason. Head coach Sean Payton got creative in Week 10 by using Mims as a running back in certain packages, hoping to give him more ways to get on the field.

“Not only for what it does for me personally, but as a team I felt like we kind of had another thing on offense that could help get some things going,” Mims said. “But it was huge for me, huge for the team, maybe that little extra thing to help us.”

Despite the slow start, Mims still led the team in catches of 40+ yards (three) and was on the receiving end of both of Bo Nix’s longest touchdown throws — each over 50 yards. He finished 2024 with 39 catches, 503 yards, and six touchdowns.

Coaches Are Taking Notice

“Confidence is born out of demonstrated ability,” Payton said of Mims. “We saw him take a big step in the middle of the year. … There are a number of young players competing for, not so much spots, but competing for touches. He’s one of them.”

Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi also praised the young receiver. “You could see him grow once we used him in different ways. He started to really take off.”

Mims has been lining up with the first-team offense this offseason, alongside Courtland Sutton and rookie Troy Franklin. But competition will be tough once training camp begins. Devaughn Vele, who had 41 catches as a rookie, is recovering from injury. And the Broncos are excited about third-round pick Pat Bryant, who they hope can also contribute right away.

Still a Star on Special Teams

Even with a larger offensive role, Mims remains one of the NFL’s top returners. He led the league in punt return average last season (15.7 yards per return) and helped Denver start drives at the 38.7-yard line on average — the best field position in the NFL among teams with qualifying returners.

And with the NFL moving the ball to the 35-yard line on kickoff touchbacks, special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi believes Mims will get more chances in the return game. He only had seven kick returns last season but could see that number rise in 2025.

“You just keep working, but kind of seeing the production I made out of opportunity gives me more confidence,” Mims said. “You get to the point where you’re like ‘Man, I want to make these plays, I really want to make these plays,’ especially at receiver. Special teams has helped me sort of deal with that because there you know exactly when you’re going to get the ball.”

Focused on the Bigger Picture

Mims knows that earning a bigger role on offense will take time and consistency. But he’s ready to fight for it.

“We just want to win, you know, this team, so for me it’s about keeping yourself ready at returner, at receiver,” he said. “Keep doing everything right, get in the right spot every time, fight for the ball for Bo every time. That’s my mindset.”