Marvin Mims: Explosive First-Round Talent

Some guy just have it, and Marvin Mims Jr. has it.

NFL teams are looking for home-run hitters and this Oklahoma wide receiver (WR) fits that description. Another telltale sign is his 19.6 yard average-per-catch this season (leads country among wideouts with 50 catches). That number was 22.0 yards in 2021.

Mims can line up outside or in the slot. Heck, he can even line up in the backfield pre-snap.

He’s got that kind of Swiss-Army knife feel, who can slice up a defense at any time with reported 4.42 (40) speed (si.com).

Mims looks smooth

This is the first thing that jumped off the screen at me.

Mims just looks so darn polished running his routes and he knows how to set-up corners who are forced to respect his deep speed.

It looks like Mims is toying with corners, which is another great sign.

He is a smooth strider who glides down the sidelines like a paper airplane.

Knack for creating separation

This is another thing that kept showing up.

Mims was able to create a good amount of separation on a majority of his short to intermediate routes, due the combination of quickness and speed he has.

He even flashed this little skip move before bursting to the inside.

Having the physical ability to create larger throwing windows is a premium at the next level, and it’s something Mims can do.

Uncanny ability to adjust

If you don’t believe me click on this YouTube highlight vs. Texas Tech in 2022.

That wasn’t a one-time thing either as Mims makes a habit of showing the ability to track and adjust.

It’s like a sixth-sense where the ball is when it’s in the air, and he has the concentration to see it into his hands.

He’s got deep game

This is what separates the men from the boys when it comes to receivers – – the guys who can take the top off a defense.

Please welcome Mims to the big stage.

He showed vs. Texas Tech in 2021 that he can blow the doors off a secondary.

Mims also showed even in tight coverage against Texas (2021) he can come down with the contested deep ball.

Having this kind of a deep game is going to cause some team to run (not walk) up to the podium in the first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

This is impressive

This is something that I don’t think is getting enough press about Mims.

He went through that whole crazy quarterback thing that happened last year when Oklahoma transitioned from Spencer Rattler to Caleb Williams. Both ended up leaving the Sooners, and then Mims ended up with Dillion Gabriel under center this season.

Mims kept producing at a high level through everything and as an aspiring general manager myself, that catches my attention.

I want someone who continues to produce no matter what’s going on or who’s throwing the ball. I want someone who shows they can tune out the noise and keep rolling.

#17 Marvin Mims Jr. 5-foot-11, 184 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: First-Round – Winter 2022 Report

Projected by 14.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 3, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Tulane, Texas and Texas Tech (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2021 stats: 32 receptions (41 targets and 78% catch rate), 705 yards (22.0 avg.), 5 TD, 67-long

2022 stats: 52 receptions (89 targets and 58% catch rate), 1,006 yards (19.3 avg.), 6 TD, 77-long

NFL comparable: Gary Clark (my favorite receiver of all-time)

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Diminutive receiver who plays big and has playmaking ability. Explodes into routes and sets up corners. Smooth strider who possesses flexible hips to snap off routes at the breakpoint. Shows good awareness and can work to get open when his quarterback is in trouble. Tends to catch with his hands, but drops some he shouldn’t. Can catch in traffic and isn’t afraid to go over the middle. Good at picking up yardage-after-catch (YAC) and showed good balance and determination. The slant and in and up are his signature routes. Demonstrative and emotional. Tough cookie who sticks his nose in there and blocks. Moves the meter.

Bottom line:

Don’t be shocked if Mims falls right into the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills at the bottom of the first-round and becomes a household name during the 2023 NFL season.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.