Marvin Mims Jr. Keeps Flashing Star Power - Now the Broncos Just Need to Feed Him
There’s no denying it: Marvin Mims Jr. is electric. Every time he touches the football, he’s a threat to break the game wide open.
The Denver Broncos know it. The fans know it.
And now, head coach Sean Payton is saying it out loud - it’s time to get Mims the ball more.
That conversation kicked into high gear after Sunday’s 24-17 win over the Raiders, when Mims took a punt 48 yards to the house, igniting the kind of spark that’s becoming his signature. It was vintage Mims - vision, burst, and acceleration that made defenders look like they were stuck in quicksand.
And it wasn’t a one-off. Since returning from a concussion that sidelined him earlier this season, Mims has re-energized Denver’s return game.
Just ask the Kansas City Chiefs - in Week 11, he torched them for 101 yards on three punt returns.
This is what Mims does. It’s why he’s already earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons. But while his return skills are elite, the bigger question - and the one Payton himself is now publicly asking - is why the Broncos haven’t found a consistent way to use Mims on offense.
Against the Raiders, Mims was targeted just once in the passing game, catching a five-yard pass. He also had a two-yard carry.
That’s it. For a player who’s proven he can flip the field in an instant, that’s not nearly enough involvement.
“Honestly, just coming out of a staff meeting, we have to continue to find more touches for him on the offensive side of the ball, and we’ll do that,” Payton said Monday.
That’s a promising sign, but this isn’t a new issue. Mims has been underutilized on offense all season.
Through 13 games, he’s been targeted only 35 times, with 25 receptions for 247 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers don’t reflect his talent - and they certainly don’t reflect what he’s already shown he can do when given the opportunity.
Let’s not forget: down the stretch last season, Mims had two 100-yard receiving games in the final five weeks, and he found the end zone four times in the last two games alone. That’s not just production - that’s playmaking when it matters most.
So what gives?
Part of it comes down to the Broncos’ offensive structure and the logjam at wide receiver. But the reality is, when you have a player this dynamic, you find ways to get the ball in his hands - jet sweeps, screens, deep shots, whatever it takes. Because when Mims touches the ball, good things happen.
Payton knows that. He and GM George Paton made Mims their first draft pick in 2023 - a second-rounder in a year when Denver didn’t have a first-round selection due to the trades for Russell Wilson and Payton himself. And from the beginning, Mims checked every box.
“I remember when we were watching his film, we knew he was a captain at Oklahoma,” Payton said. “He was an accomplished receiver, but he was one of the better returners, if not the best returner, in the draft. When you check those vision boxes, the way we were able to with him… He’s exceeded our expectations as to what type of guy he is, how he works, what kind of teammate he is.”
This isn’t just another fast guy with limited upside. Mims is the real deal - a polished receiver, a high-character leader, and a field-tilting returner.
The Broncos hit on this pick, big time. In fact, Von Miller is the only other Bronco to earn All-Pro honors in his first two seasons.
That’s the kind of company Mims is keeping.
Now, the next step is clear: get him more involved in the offensive game plan. The Broncos are still in the thick of a crowded AFC playoff picture, and every edge matters.
With Mims, they have a weapon who can change the game in a blink. But only if they give him the chance.
The blueprint is there. The talent is undeniable. It’s time to turn Marvin Mims Jr. into more than just a special teams ace - it’s time to unleash him as a full-blown offensive weapon.