Following his release from the Steelers this week, former Baylor Bears wide receiver Denzel Mims is signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. Jacksonville will be Mims’ fourth stop in the league since entering in 2020 with the New York Jets.
The former second-round selection for the Jets signed with the Steelers in October, joining the practice squad. He signed a future/reserve contract in January to remain with the team through the offseason, but he is now on to his next opportunity.
Last offseason, the New York Jets traded Mims to the Detroit Lions, receiving a pick swap of a 2025 conditional sixth-round pick and a seventh-rounder. However, the Lions waived the former Baylor receiver in an injury settlement prior to the season, rendering the trade null. Because the Lions cut Mims, the team didn’t need to send compensation back to the Jets, as the original trade was conditional on him making the final roster.
The Jets originally selected Mims with the No. 59 overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In his first three seasons, he played in 30 games total. His most productive season was as a rookie in 2020. The former Bears standout had 23 catches for 357 yards. Those numbers went down to eight catches and 133 yards, and 11 catches for 186 yards over the next two seasons. Mims has yet to record a touchdown since entering the league.
Mims initially signed a four-year deal worth $5.43 million in 2020. The Jets would have owed him $1.35 million for the 2023 season, before trading him. He turns 27 this season, which will be his fifth in the league.
While in Waco with the Bears, Mims was an All-Big 12 first-team honoree in 2019. He started all 13 games as a senior, racking up 66 receptions for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also surpassed 1,000 receiving yards as a sophomore, tallying 61 receptions for 1,087 yards and eight touchdowns.
More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency
The NFL 2024 calendar year began at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially ran out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams had a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams could enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.
In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marked the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marked the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hit.
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