At one point last Summer, Denzel Mims did not know what would happen when he got injured after being traded to the Detroit Lions. Once a highly touted second-round pick with the New York Jets, Mims flamed out in New York, and the Lions decided to trade for him. But an ankle injury in training camp derailed his opportunity, and since he was waived from the team’s injured reserve, Mims has looked for a new place. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the first team to give him that chance. But he has learned all too well not to get comfortable.
“Don’t be comfortable, really,” Mims said. “That’s what my NFL journey taught me. I can’t take anything for granted. There’s nothing guaranteed in this league. It doesn’t really matter no matter how good you’re doing or how good you’re performing; if you’re not available, you might not be there the next day. Just be available, and don’t be too comfortable. Have a chip on your shoulder, keep going, and make sure you’re available. That’s just what I’ve learned, being on my third team.”
The connection between the Steelers and the Mims was that of former wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson. He was at Baylor at the same time that Mims was, and as his primary coach, Mims soared to become one of the best wideouts in the Big 12. But now, Zach Azzanni is coming in and trying to bring a level of physicality and effort to the room that they felt was lacking a year ago.
Coming out of Baylor, Mims was a high-pedigree player who was considered a potential first-round pick. When he got there, he was undoubtedly in the conversation for the Steelers to take at 49th overall, but the team opted to take Chase Claypool instead. Now, with some teams seemingly vying for Mims’ services, he stands to land somewhere. The Steelers lack bodies on the outside at wide receiver, including at the Z, where Mims would likely line up. He sees his skillset as something that could open up options.
“I feel like I can help (the Steelers’ receiving corps) out a lot, take a lot of stress off of them,” Mims said. “Just with double coverage, I feel like I can make some plays to help them out and also help them in the blocking game as well.
Mims noted that he “loves to block,” so the Steelers could use that part of his skill set. The talented receiver believes he can make his mark on the team. With some serious questions at the bottom of Pittsburgh’s depth chart, Mims might get his chance this offseason. There is room for him to make noise, and the team naturally needs an outside receiver who can block and threaten teams vertically. Mims is the most natural player to watch on the Steelers roster for that role. Even if the team ends up looking outside for another playmaker, which they likely will, if Mims can impress at training camp, he could be a sleeper to make the team.
