Carolina Panthers: Three under-the-radar combine standouts team may draft

Denzel Mims, WR — Baylor

The final player on this list is Baylor’s Denzel Mims. After having spent the past three seasons under Rhule, Mims seems like a natural fit in Carolina. The fact that the team parted ways with Jarius Wright last week also opens up the need for a reliable third receiver. DJ Moore had a borderline elite campaign in 2019, but behind him, the Panthers lacked much production from the other wide receivers. Add in the fact that new receivers coach Frisman Jackson was also a member of Rhule’s staff at Baylor, and Carolina seems like the perfect landing spot for Mims.

At 6’3,” 215 pounds, Mims is bigger than any receiver on Carolina’s current roster, and would be a welcome addition to the 2020 team. Brandon Zylstra and Chris Hogan were the team’s only receivers over six-feet tall in 2019, and they combined for just 16 catches for 173 yards and no scores. That being said, the Panthers were clearly lacking a big threat on the outside this past season. In addition, they were also one of the worst teams at throwing the ball inside the red-zone. As a result, the impact of a big receiving target can never be underestimated, especially in today’s game.

Going back to thedraftnetwork.com’s scouting report one last time, it is Mims’ size and catch radius that make him so intriguing. A former track star, he also ran one of the fastest 40 times at the combine. He is big enough and fast enough to provide a serious red-zone threat at the professional level, and is a good route-runner for a big receiver. As with any prospect, Mims comes with concerns, his being run-blocking and effort. Fortunately for him and potentially the Panthers, though, nobody has gotten more out of him than Rhule and Jackson. Mims won’t be a high draft pick, but he is definitely worth taking a look at in the middle rounds.