Denzel Mims is becoming a first-round prospect

Denzel Mims came to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine as a projected mid-Day 2 pick. After a dominant showing, there’s Day 1 buzz abound.

Whoosh.

That’s the official sound of Denzel Mims’ showing at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Speaking with Mims prior to Indianapolis, it was clear his expectations were to shock with speed. While the 22-year-old wouldn’t project a time, he believed he would exceed the expectations of many NFL personnel men, who expected Mims to run in the low-to-mid 4.5s.

The former Baylor Bears wide receiver proceeded to blew up stopwatches with a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. Combined with Mims’ size (6-foot-3, 207 pounds), starring for three years under Matt Rhule in Waco, and a dominant Senior Bowl showing, few have been more impressive on their draft journey.

“I feel like it’s headed up,” Mims said of his draft stock. “Everything is possible. I felt I was overshadowed by the top juniors, (the media) were loving the top juniors. I felt because I go to Baylor I’m seen as just another Baylor receiver, and I really want to change that. We have a lot of great players at Baylor, we have a whole new staff, and I want to change the way they view Baylor receivers. I came out feeling good. I always felt I was a top-five receiver in this class, and I feel like I showed that.”

Denzel Mims Draft Diary, Part 1: Readying for the Combine

Later on Thursday night, Mims caused a stir in a litany of team boxes once more. The 3-cone drill is more suited for diminutive players, able to get low and turn tight. Despite his size, the youngest brother of three kids posted a time of 6.66, best among all receivers.

“For the 3-cone, the ‘L’ drill, I knew I’d run a good time,” Mims said. “I actually said before I ran, I told the guy taking the time it would be the fastest time they saw all day, and I did it. I wanted to prove myself because with my skills, I know what I’m capable of doing.”

Coming into Indianapolis, Mims was thought of as a fringe top-50 pick.

Now, there’s first-round buzz around the youngster.

“Since 2003, there’s only been other one other receiver his size who ran a 4.3 (40-yard dash) and a 6.6 3-cone drill, and that was Julio Jones,” said Mims’ agent, Ron Slavin. “What Denzel has done at Baylor over the last three years and at the Combine is pretty much unprecedented. He helped himself as much as anybody could have.”

Not surprisingly, the Scouting Combine was an eye-opening experience for Mims. Medical exams, media obligations, being whisked between formal and informal interviews, a primetime workout and more. Mims couldn’t remember how many NFL teams he interviewed with, although it bordered on each one. The Kansas City Chiefs were the only exception he could recall.

With less than two months until the Cincinnati Bengals are put on the clock, there’s still much for Mims to accomplish. The next date to consider is March 25, when Baylor holds its pro day. Times and measurements are of little concern for the native of Daingerfield, Texas, but proving his route-running prowess remains a key area to showcase.

During his college days, Mims was largely a slant runner with the ability to go deep. Coming into the NFL, the First-Team All-Big 12 member is working diligently at expanding his route tree.

“He’s done everything he could,” Slavin said. “He was the best receiver at the Senior Bowl and then had the best overall day of any receiver at the Combine.  Now it’s just catching the ball at his pro day, showing off his route-running, and then doing well at his team visits. Just show he’ll come in and be a pro, which he’s shown at Baylor for four years now.”

Many questions have been answered by Mims. More will be headed his way as the process intensifies between the aforementioned Pro Day and team visits throughout April.

For now, Mims has endured two major tests in the Senior Bowl and Combine. Both aced.

“I always believed I was a first-round guy and I wanted to go out there and show that.”

To this juncture? Mission accomplished.