Marvin Mims is a big play receiver who exploded in his junior season with the Sooners. Mims has continued to impress during the offseason activities, pushing into my top 10 rookie receivers. It’s time to dive into this talented receiver and why his name is one to watch.
Profile Overview
- College: Oklahoma
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 183 lbs
- Hand Size:9”
- Age: 21
- Year: Junior
- Draft Projection: 3rd round
High School And Personal Life
Mims became the all-time single-season receiving yardage leader in Texas history, with 2,483 yards held initially for 20 years. Mims originally committed to Stanford but had a change of heart four months later and committed to Oklahoma. He was named Mr. Texas Football and helped lead his team to a 14-1 record his senior year.
College Career
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2020 | Oklahoma | Big 12 | FR | WR | 11 | 37 | 610 | 16.5 | 9 | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 0 | 39 | 627 | 16.1 | 9 |
| *2021 | Oklahoma | Big 12 | SO | WR | 13 | 32 | 705 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 33 | 720 | 21.8 | 5 |
| *2022 | Oklahoma | Big 12 | JR | WR | 13 | 54 | 1083 | 20.1 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 | 56 | 1086 | 19.4 | 6 |
| Career | Oklahoma | 37 | 123 | 2398 | 58.6 | 20 | 5 | 35 | 25 | 0 | 128 | 2433 | 57.3 | 20 |
Mims developed nicely over his college career as he improved in each of his three seasons. He would lead his team in receiving yards each of his three seasons at Oklahoma. In 2022, Mims had his true breakout season, with led him to over 1000 yards. He was the lone bright for a poor Oklahoma team that finished a 6-7 record in 2022. The one thing about Mims is that he had to deal with a variety of different quarterbacks at this time in college. He has three different quarterbacks to throw him the ball, and he seems to find his groove with Dillion Gabriel this past season.
Strengths
Vertical Separation
Mims’ best strength is his ability to be a deep threat in college and at the next level. He averaged 19.5 YPR over this three-year career and even with an elite 2021 season where he finished as 22 YPR. Mims has a better YPR finish than other fellows Sooners like CeeDee Lamb and Hollywood Brown. He has that vertical separation that blows past defenders for big plays.
Yards After Catch Ability
Mims has that vertical separation but his ability to gain yards after the catch is fantastic. For one, he showed that 4.38 speed at the combine in the 40-yard run. Mims, either deep or short, can use that speed to gain more yards every play. This makes him dangerous because if he gets that vertical separation, he’ll likely make defenders pay more once the ball is in his hands. It’s not the twitchy type of YAC but more that he will use his speed to burn past defenders.
Production with Multiple QBs
A receiver that can be effective with different types of quarterbacks is a rare trait. In 2020, he helped put Spencer Rattler on the map as he contributed to 20 percent of his yards and 32 percent of his touchdowns as a freshman. In 2021, he had a split between a regressing Spencer Rattler and the future number one overall potential pick Caleb Williams. Again, he contributed 20 percent of their combined yardage for the 2021 season. In 2022 his breakout came with transfer senior Dillon Gabriel, as Mims contributed 32 percent of his total yardage.
Areas of Concern
Lack of Size & Wingspan
Changing something you are born with is hard, but it’s still a concern for Mims as a receiver. He has a 183lb frame at 5’11. His catch radius is smaller than some of the other receivers in this class, and it’s a smaller frame class in general. While Mims’ speed will help him, the issue with faster and more physical defenders can throw him off his routes. Mims should be more scheme to get open field and use his speed to win. Mims being in many contested catch situations is not the direction to go.
Route Tree
It’s not a major concern, and his skill sets favor more deep routes downfield, but he has the speed and route running to do more. He was unlocked enough that I think he can, but I want to see him be more diverse in his routes. Oklahoma limited what he did on the field, and he needs to land in a situation where coaching will help open up that tree more.
Projected Draft Capital & Role
Mims is currently projected in the 3rd round of the NFL draft with the NFL Mock Draft Database. He can serve as a team’s wide receiver two for a team. He can be paired with an Alpha receiver and help stretch the field with his vertical ability. Mims is projected to the Titans, which is a very favorable spot for him to land despite the lack of receivers. Other spots are interesting, like the Chiefs, Falcons, and Seattle.
Dynasty Rookie Value
As we are right now, about three weeks before the NFL draft, Mims is going in the late round two of rookie drafts and about receiver seven or eight of the board. He has WR2 upside if he lands in the right situation for his skill sets. Mims will be one of those receivers whose landing spot and draft capital will determine value. He is someone to keep your eyes on as he could rise as we get closer to the NFL draft.
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