Report: Pittsburgh Steelers signing WR Denzel Mims to practice squad
Denzel Mims is getting another shot to prove himself at the NFL level with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the former Baylor Bears star is signing with the Steelers practice squad.
“The #Steelers are signing WR Denzel Mims to the practice squad, source says,” tweeted Garafolo. “The former second-round pick of the #Jets joins Pittsburgh as he works his way back from an ankle injury suffered while with the #Lions in camp.”
Moreover, Mims has been waiting patiently for his next NFL opportunity. Earlier this offseason, the New York Jets — who drafted Mims — traded him 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 Mims making the final roster.
Now, Mims will have a shot at making an impact in Pittsburgh, as the Steelers look for some more play-makers to help their anemic offense. Their struggles have been highly-publicized, and the AFC North legacy franchise needs all the help it can get.
While Denzel Mims may not be the end-all, be-all answer for the Steelers’ troubles, it at least signals that the team is looking to improve on the offensive side of the football. Time will tell if the former Baylor star gets his shot to shine.
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Moreover, the New York Jets selected Denzel 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. He 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.
The former Baylor Bears standout 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.
Mims a Texas native who played his high school football for Daingerfield before heading to Baylor. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound receiver turns 26 this season.
On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this article.