It was unusual to see kick return ace Marvin Mims back on kickoff returns during the Denver Broncos' 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals, as he has been mostly on punt return duty after coming back after an injury early in the season. However, the decision to put the dynamic Mims back returning kickoffs paid off in a big way when Mims broke off a 39-yard return on the opening return of the game. Mims would finish with four returns for 103 yards.
Mims has been an interesting player. When he was drafted by the Broncos in the 2022 NFL draft, Mims was seen as a dynamic receiver coming out of Oklahoma, but he has been curiously and severely underused in his seasons with Denver. From a 100-yard kickoff return against the Miami Dolphins in 2023 to
a punt return for a touchdown last fall, to a stretch where Mims had four touchdowns in two games, Mims has shown his electric ability.
Coach Sean Payton has tried to find ways to get Mims involved, and explained his decision to involve Mims once again on kickoff duty.
"We’re trying to get him touches," Payton said of Mims. "He’s one of our explosive playmakers. Quite honestly, we need to get him more touches on offense, and we’ll do that. A lot of it had to do with the way they were kicking off. We kind of, you noticed, went more to a single returner and certainly that first one (return) that puts us at midfield was a big one for us.”
Mims has been one of those players who can change the game with a play or two. Just remember that go-ahead touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills in January. Finding a spot for Mims, especially with the possibility of missing receiver Jaylen Waddle in Week 8, Mims has to get involved more as the season continues.
Can the Broncos find the spot or niche for Mims before it's too late, when his contract expires at the end of the season?
We'll just have to wait and see.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X!
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos want to get underutilized weapon more touches on offense
