At this stage of the NFL season, the Denver Broncos are reportedly in selling mode. Not only have they already dealt pass rusher Randy Gregory to the San Francisco 49ers, but other veteran players are rumored to be on the block—including a few wide receivers like Jerry Jeudy and/or Courtland Sutton.
The good news for the Broncos at the position, however, is that they have some young talent that's already turning heads in Marvin Mims Jr.
The Broncos drafted Mims in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma as the latest piece to load up the offense with another dynamic playmaker. Mims had 54 catches for 1,083 receiving yards a year ago for the Sooners, and he declared for the draft with a 19.5 yards/catch average to go with 20 touchdowns. It also helped that he had solid punt return experience.
So far for Denver, Mims has 10 catches for 242 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. There's also this electric kickoff return that Mims brought all the way back in Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins for a touchdown. Mims also has a 45-yard punt return already this season.
When asked about the dangers in facing the Denver Broncos on a short week, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub had high praise for the general work of Denver's special teams but quickly zeroed in on Mims as a player who could cause some real problems for the Chiefs. Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub has high praise for the Broncos units.
"First of all, their coaches are very good. They’ve got Mike Westhoff and Ben Kotwica, both of whom I highly respect. I have high regard for both coaches. Right now they’re a top 10 unit at this point in the season and that’s all phases, so we have our hands full there.
"The guy who stands out right now is Mims. He’s got a 99 yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Miami. He does a good job in the punt return area as well. He can catch the ball well. He’s dangerous and has got great speed. He’s a rookie but he has a lot of talent. We’ll have our hands full with him."
All of that sounds even more impressive when you realize the longest return on the season for the Chiefs is a 23-yard punt return for Montrell Washington. The longest kick return is only 20 yards.
The Chiefs will host the Broncos on Thursday Night Football on October 12.