Will Marvin Mims Jr. become WR1 for Broncos in second half?

Denver Broncos WR Marvin Mims Jr. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Will Marvin Mims Jr. become Broncos No. 1 WR in the second half of the season?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 11/8/23

Since the Denver Broncos plan to get promising rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. more involved, will he become the team's No. 1 target in the second half of the season?

"Mims' skill set gives him the best chance to [lead the team in receiving yards] because he covers so much ground on the field," wrote Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post. "But we are still waiting for the Broncos to fully unleash the rookie wideout."

Mims Jr. only had 14 targets through the season's first eight games. He made the most of his limited opportunities, however, logging 11 receptions for 246 yards – the third most on the team – and one touchdown. He is also the only Broncos player who has recorded a 100-yard game this season.

The perfect moon ball from Russ! He finds the rookie Marvin Mims for a TD.

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— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023

On Monday, Broncos head Sean Payton acknowledged he and the coaching staff should give him more touches.

"We believe we have a really good, young, talented player," Payton said of Mims Jr., per Mike Klis of KUSA-TV in Denver. "Obviously, there are other players who deserve the same type of attention relative to play design. But we're going to work our tails off to move that needle where he's getting opportunities not only in the passing game, but he just does a lot of things well and is really good with the ball in his hands."

Getting Mims Jr. more involved would give the Denver passing offense something it lacks: big-play ability. The Broncos rank 28th in the NFL in passing yards (185.4). Yet, the second-round pick out of Oklahoma has averaged 22.4 yards per reception, which leads the team.

Clearly, the 21-year-old has significant upside. Increasing his role and finding more ways to get him the ball is the right move for the Broncos (3-5). Their offense must become more dynamic as they prepare for an improbable postseason push.

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