2023 NFL Draft: Marvin Mims Jr. scouting report
A true burner wide receiver for Oklahoma, Marvin Mims Jr. is coming off of his best season and he will look to turn that production into draft stock as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.
Here is everything you need to know about the Sooner’s playmaker:
Vitals
Height: 5-11
Weight: 183
Class: Junior
40 Time: 4.38
Strengths
A vertical deep ball threat with enough athleticism and speed to work inside, Marvin Mims Jr. experienced his best season as a Junior. The three year started was able to surpass career highs with 54 catches, 1083 receiving yards, six touchdowns, and a ridiculous 20.1 yards per catch. This truly magnified his explosive playmaking ability.
Mims excels down the field, hitting his second gear quickly off the snap, and forcing corners to open up and race him to the ball. He possesses top level ball location skills, maneuvering and shaping his body to pluck difficult catches down the field or across the sideline. He has no issue taking a punishing hit in order to secure the big play, and holds onto the ball through contact. Mims’ speed makes him a legitimate deep threat, and can make him a versatile weapon in the screen or gadget play for teams lacking in speed on defense. Once the ball is in his hands, he makes the most of his athleticism with smooth cuts and quick bursts to fight for first downs and explode for chunk plays into the secondary.
Mims’ three years of starting experience follow his production as well, and while his route tree was not the most developed, it was clear that he became a more fluid route runner with time. He learned to angle his body better and make the most of his hands at the line to break free of press when challenged.
Weaknesses
Mims’ size and frame are a concern, and will make it difficult for him to match up against bigger and more physical corners in the league who can shadow his speed into the deep half of the field. That same size will also make it more difficult for him to use his body positioning to win the deep ball, as the larger corners in the league will out position him naturally and bully him away from the football. He will need to add on play strength and weight at the next level, while still maintaining the speed and explosion that make Mims an elite receiver.
His route tree was also limited in college, and while he got better at running them over the years, Mims will need to expand his options as well as open up to playing in the slot more to help scheme him open. He has an array to learn and will need to move out of his comfort zone in order to be consistently successful in the league.
Projection
Marvin Mims Jr. is an explosive playmaker that is going to scare defenses deep in this league right away. His ability to hit his second gear off the ball and find the football with high level body positioning and excellent hands will make Mims a force on deep shots. There will also be a place for him as a playmaker in the screen game, as his run after the catch ability makes him a threat to take it to the house or take a chunk out of defenses ever-present wherever he is lined up.
Mims will need to add on some weight and expand his route tree to be truly dominant in the league. While he will likely never be an ‘X’ receiver, Mims is going to be a problem for defenses to deal with early in his career, and offensive coordinators will be eager to get the playmaker in their game plan.
Projection: 2nd Round Pick
