The Dallas Cowboys have arrived for training camp in Oxnard, California with plenty of veteran and rookie talent on the roster. Among those competing for a spot is 2020 second-round pick and former Baylor Bears wide receiver Denzel Mims. Mims enters camp after spending the spring in the UFL with the Arlington Renegades, where he recorded six receptions for 55 yards on 12 targets across 5 games.
Mims is looking for redemption. Drafted No. 59 overall by the Jets in 2020, he came out of college loaded with physical upside—boasting a 6-foot-3 frame, 4.38 speed, and a 38.5-inch vertical. Expected to be a premier red-zone threat, Mims instead struggled to refine his route running, create separation against press, or contribute on special teams.
After
managing just 42 catches for 676 yards in three seasons with New York, he spent 2023–2024 on practice squads for the Lions, Steelers, and Jaguars. Mims then reset his career in the UFL, playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2025 and the Arlington Renegades in 2026. That spring league resurgence earned him another NFL shot with Dallas in June. Now on his fifth team, Mims hopes to leverage his elite physical tools to finally reignite his NFL career.
Denzel Mims 2020 NFL combine measurements/Stats
Height: 6'2" 7/8
Weight: 207 pounds
40-Yard Dash: 4.38 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 6.66 seconds
Broad Jump: 10' 11"
Vertical Jump: 38.5 "
Bench Press: 16 reps
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.40 seconds
How does he fit on the Cowboys?
For Mims to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, he needs to demonstrate his worth on special teams. With CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, and KaVontae Turpin firmly established as the top four receivers, the WR5 and WR6 positions will be filled by players who can excel as gunners, contribute to kickoff coverage, or act as jammers.
Mims’ situation is reminiscent of Laquon Treadwell, a former Ole Miss first-round pick who built a successful NFL career by fully committing to special teams. Mims possesses the necessary attributes to follow a similar path. A strong performance during training camp and the preseason could earn him a roster spot, or at the very least, a position on the practice squad with the possibility of being called up in an emergency. However, he faces stiff competition from this year's seventh-round pick Anthony Smith, veteran Tyler Johnson, and fan favorite Traeshon Holden. The competition will be fierce, and Mims will need to assert himself consistently to secure either a place on the 53-man roster or the practice squad
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Former Jets 2nd-round pick looks to latch on with new role on Cowboys
