Marvin Mims NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6′-3″
School: Oklahoma
2023 NFL Draft: Marvin Mims Scouting Report
After spending the past three seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners, wide receiver Marvin Mims has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. The Texas native ended his collegiate tenure on a high note, recording 54 receptions for 1,083 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games.
Mims originally entered the collegiate football ranks in the 2020 season. Making an impact from the very start, the wideout finished his inaugural campaign with 37 receptions for 610 yards and nine touchdowns. His sophomore season was more of the season, as he finished with 32 receptions for 705 yards and five touchdowns.
Strengths
- Elite deep speed – takes the top off the defense with ease;
- 19.5 yards per catch and 51.5% catch rate on deep targets are both well above average;
- Great at tracking deep balls through the air – positions himself perfectly so it doesn’t have to be a battle of size;
- Started contributing as a true freshman – 96th percentile breakout age;
- NFL-caliber athleticism;
- Dangerous after the catch with upside as a punt returner.
Weaknesses
- Very, very small – checked in at just 5′-11″ and 183 pounds at the NFL Combine;
- Lack of size shows up on tape – rarely outmuscles defenders at the catch point;
- Doesn’t have the strength to line up wide and beat press coverage against NFL competition;
- Limited route tree – something of a one-trick pony;
- Rounds off his routes, allowing defenders to make plays on sharp angles.
NFL Comparison: Mecole Hardman
Teams With Need At Position: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots
Projection: Round 4-5
Bottom Line on Marvin Mims
Marvin Mims might not be the most versatile player in the NFL Draft, but the right coaching staff should be able to find a role for a player with this much athleticism. The Oklahoma product has legitimately impressive speed, and that should translate well to the next level. Mims is more than just a glorified track star, as he also excels at tracking the ball through the air. This allows him to position himself in such a way that defenders can’t get a hand on the ball, which leads to a higher percentage of completed deep passes.
There is a role for players like Mims in the NFL, but it will never be a featured one. At 5′-11″ and 183 pounds, the Oklahoma product simply lacks the size required to be an outside receiver in the NFL. Sure, some players like Jaylen Waddle can get away with smaller builds, but they are the exception to the rule. Quite frankly, there is nothing on tape to suggest that Mims possesses Waddle’s ability to vastly outplay his listed size. He lacks the strength to beat press coverage, which means he’ll have to spend his professional career working out of the slot.
On its own, this isn’t a kiss of death, but slot receivers generally run a fairly diverse route tree. This will be a problem for Mims, as he spent the vast majority of his collegiate tenure running a select handfull of routes. What’s worse is that, outside of go routes, his routes aren’t very crisp and could use some fine-tuning.
In the short-term, Mims will likely be utilized as a gadget player with the ability to turn a big play every time he touches the ball. However, if he gets the correct coaching and/or adds on a lot of play strength, he has the potential to develop into a mini version of DeSean Jackson.
Main Photo: Bryan Terry – USA Today Sports
