If you followed the Denver Broncos closely the last 2 seasons, then you know what kind of player Marvin Mims Jr. is — an absolute firecracker. He’s already a 2-time NFL All-Pro return specialist and finished second on the Broncos in receiving in 2024 despite making just 2 starts.
What’s exciting about the future with Mims is that he showed a special connection with rookie quarterback and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Bo Nix. When those 2 were on the field, highlight reel plays just seemed to materialize.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell named Mims the NFL’s “Best Gadget Player” because of his ability to do so many things and do them well.
“Thinking about the classic idea of an undersized gadget player who moves around the formation to thrive, catches all kinds of passes near the line of scrimmage and creates big plays with the ball in his hands, Mims comes to mind,” Barnwell wrote on June 19. “Like many gadget players from years past, he adds value on special teams: He was the league’s first-team All-Pro return man in 2024, averaging an NFL-best 15.7 yards per punt return.”
Mims Seems Headed Toward Breakout Season
If you’re looking for the player on the Denver roster who is most likely headed toward a breakout season, it might be Mims after earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as a return specialist his first 2 seasons.
Mims might be ready to take the next step as a focal point of the Broncos’ offense. He showed glimpses of his potential at the position with 30 receptions for 503 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024.
OMG!!! The grip strength needed to make this catch!!
Just incredible Marvin Mims Jr. 🔥🔥🔥#Broncos #Bengals pic.twitter.com/dOlwZvApR8— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) December 29, 2024
OMG!!! The grip strength needed to make this catch!!
Just incredible Marvin Mims Jr. 🔥🔥🔥
#Broncos #Bengals
“Mims can handle that quick-hitting route tree but also provides a much-needed explosive threat,” Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon wrote on Sept. 14, 2024. “He averaged a team-high 17.1 yards per catch as a rookie last season. Denver coach Sean Payton really didn’t ask rookie QB Bo Nix to push the ball downfield in Week 1. The reality is Mims’ presence alone will not demand respect from defenses, too. For opponents to truly take Nix seriously as a passer, however, the Broncos must find those moments to at least intend on taking a deep shot. Mims is the best option for that.”
Competition On Way From Rookie Wide Receiver
With Courtland Sutton embedded as WR1 for the Broncos, there are 3 players vying for those next 2 spots — second year wide receiver DeVaughn Vele and rookie Pat Bryant.
Experts had Bryant projected as a late round pick — sixth or seventh round — but the Broncos and head coach Sean Payton saw enough to take him at No. 74 overall.
In his first 3 drafts with the Broncos, Payton has taken wide receivers more than any other position — 4 times since 2023 but never in the first round.
Bryant has drawn early comparisons to the best wide receiver Payton has drafted in 2 seasoons as an NFL head coach. In 2016, Payton selected Ohio State’s Michael Thomas in the second round (No. 47 overall) — 3 years later Thomas was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year after setting the NFL single-season record with 149 receptions to go with 1,725 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.
