Patriots ‘expressing interest’ in new free agent wide receiver
Nov 6, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims (11) reacts after making a catch during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
With DeAndre Hopkins off the board, the free agent wide receiver market is noticeably thin. One player could become available in the coming day though, which seems to have gotten the Patriots’ attention.
As first reported by Brian Costello of the New York Post, the Jets are expected to waive fourth-year wide receiver Denzel Mims on Wednesday if they can’t find a last-minute trade partner for him. Multiple follow up reports indicated the Patriots are at least one of the teams “showing interest” in acquiring Mims should he hit the waiver wire or outright free agency.
Of course for that to happen, no team can trade for Mims first. According to Cowboys insider Mike Fisher, Dallas has made an offer to the Jets, with the asking price being a conditional seventh-round pick.
Mims, 25, was a second-round pick by the Jets out of Baylor in 2020 but was limited by injuries early in his career and has struggled to earn playing time since. In 10 games last season he caught 11 passes for 186 yards, and has 42 catches for 676 yards in 30 career NFL games.
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If Mims does get to waivers and the Patriots claim him, he’d likely compete for a fifth wide receiver role in New England behind JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, and Tyquan Thornton. More specifically, he’d likely be a dark horse in the battle at the ‘Z’ receiver spot between Bourne and Thornton, given his skillset.
At 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Mims ran a 4.38 40 at the 2020 NFL Combine. His height and long speed make him a threat to stretch the field on go routes and deep posts. However he doesn’t have a very expansive route tree.
The Patriots wouldn’t have to make any extra moves if they do land Mims via a wavier claim or free agency. Their 90-man roster currently sits at 88 players.
Mims isn’t the only player the Patriots were linked to on Wednesday. They also hosted veteran running back Leonard Fournette for a workout in Foxborough.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
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Should the Patriots target Dalvin Cook, now that they lost out on DeAndre Hopkins?
The New England Patriots continue to be involved in rumors around free-agent running back Dalvin Cook, but that doesn’t mean they will actually take the plunge and sign him. Or should they?
New England is officially out of the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes, but could still use a potential impact player at an affordable price. Does that mean Bill Belichick might take a shot on Cook, instead?
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There’s a list of factors to consider in the Patriots’ potential pursuit of Cook in free agency…
Dalvin Cook’s On-Field Impact
![CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 08: Running back Dalvin Cook #4 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 08, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/07/GettyImages-1455075248-copy.jpg)
Running back Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Jan. 8, 2023. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Despite being 27 years old with more than 1,500 career touches, Cook remained one of the more explosive and productive backs in football in 2022. He remains a true home-run hitter, as he broke his own career-best long touchdown run with an 81-yard scamper against the Bills. He was one of only six backs in the league with at least three runs of 40-plus yards.
On top of that, there are advanced metrics that point to a back that can still break off big runs with his explosiveness. According to Next Gen Stats, Cook was the third-fastest running back in the league based on literal miles per hour (21.7 mph average). Only the Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker and the Jets’ Breece Hall were faster.
The Patriots have a strong running back group overall, and not necessarily just a one-headed monster with Rhamondre Stevenson. But Cook would add a level of big-play ability that they may not necessarily have. There’s an urgency for the first couple of guys to tackle Cook every time he touches the ball. That’s real impact.
Alex Barth is a digital content producer and on-air host for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Barth grew up in the Boston area and began covering both the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox in 2017 before joining the Hub in 2020. He now covers all things Boston Sports for 985TheSportsHub.com as well as appearing on air. Alex writes about all New England sports, as well as college football. You can follow him across all social media platforms at @RealAlexBarth.