Denzel Mims sees no future with the Jets, requests trade

New York Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims is asking for a trade after falling to the bottom of the organization’s depth chart.

The New York Jets have had a strong offseason, adding key free agents and crushing the NFL Draft to put an intriguing roster of playmakers together for second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. One player who isn’t a factor in the team’s plans is third-year wide receiver Denzel Mims, who has asked the Jets for a trade according to a press release from his agent.

Mims’ agent, Ron Slavin, said in the release that the 2020 second-round pick “does not have a future with the Jets.” The addition of 2022 first-round pick Garrett Wilson and the Jets’ decision to re-sign Braxton Berrios pushed Mims down the depth chart, where he was fighting with the likes of Jeff Smith and Calvin Jackson for reps.

Will the Jets be able to get anything for Denzel Mims?

It is unfortunate for the Jets that Mims, a premium draft pick just three years ago, isn’t a good fit for their current roster. Mims fell out of favor with Robert Saleh’s coaching staff last year due to poor practice habits and never worked his way out of it, catching just 8 passes for 133 yards in 2021.

There is also a poor scheme fit for Mims in the Jets’ current offensive system, which relies on receivers to make quick cuts and run after the catch while running complex route trees. Mims is more of a vertical burner, making him a poor fit for the system, but Mims is still just 24 years old and may benefit immensely from a change of scenery.

The Jets have resisted the urge to trade Mims in the past but GM Joe Douglas may look to recoup a late-round draft pick via trade since it is unlikely Mims was going to make the team’s 53-man roster anyway. This could develop into a bit of a staring contest since interested teams may take the chance on waiting for Mims to get cut rather than surrender draft capital for a player who has just 31 receptions for 490 yards without a touchdown in his first two seasons.