It took a little longer than expected, but Denzel Mims is now Gang Green. The Jets selected the Baylor wide receiver with the 59th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
General manager Joe Douglas flexed his creative muscle by trading back from No. 48 with the Seattle Seahawks. Douglas acquired the 59th pick, along with a third rounder (No. 101).
That third-round pick came in handy for Douglas, he traded down again – this time with the New England Patriots. Yes, the Patriots… trades between these two teams happen now, go figure.
Douglas received two fourth-round picks (No. 125 and 129) from New England, along with a sixth rounder in 2021. It was a clear indication the Patriots really wanted to make that deal to move up. They used the Jets’ pick to grab Virginia Tech’s Dalton Greene.
All that wheeling and dealing set the Jets up for a busy third day. They’ll have three 4th-round picks, a 5th, and two sixth-rounders.
Overall, Douglas is doing his best to fill numerous holes on the roster. So far, so good.
Now, back to Denzel Mims.
Shortly after the Jets traded the 48th pick, there was a wave of nervous energy on social media. The feeling from many fans was Douglas had just passed up on an opportunity to grab a much-needed wide receiver.
Yes, the trade back did net the Jets more draft capital. That’s always a good thing.
But, Joe, what about the wide receiver?
What was he doing? Everyone knows how badly this team needs a wideout? Did he forget Robby Anderson is now wearing a Carolina Panthers’ jersey?
In a draft where wide receivers were being gobbled up like an updated Pac-Man game, what on earth was Douglas doing?
Well, as it turns out, Mims, surprisingly, was still around at No. 59 when it was time for the Jets to submit their pick. Fear not Gang Green, you now have yourselves a wide receiver.
Mims posted 1,010 receiving yards last season for Baylor. He caught 66 passes and 12 touchdowns.
The Jets needed a speedster, and Mims can fly. He ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine.
Mims, at 6-foot-3, 216 pounds, excelled at 50/50 balls. When the ball is in the air, there’s good chance he’s going to beat his defender to it.
When Robby Anderson signed with the Panthers, he took his playmaking skills with him. Anderson was the home run hitter for quarterback Sam Darnold. The one receiver that could take the top off a defense with his speed and ability to catch the deep ball.
In the first round, with Mekhi Becton, Douglas secured protection for Darnold. Now, with the addition of Mims, he made sure his quarterback has a playmaker.
The Jets also used their third-round pick (No. 68, from the Giants in the Leonard Williams trade) to select Cal safety Ashtyn Davis. With the No. 79 pick, Douglas stayed with defense and grabbed Jabari Zuniga, a pass-rusher out of Florida.
With six more picks in the arsenal, Douglas, so far, has conducted his first draft like a maestro.
Let’s see where this song takes us next.
