Marvin Mims (leg) leaves practice early on Friday

Mims gets a starting slot alongside Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle for the Broncos’ season opener against Kansas City. It’s quite the stunner after Pat Bryant — listed as a second-team wideout — drew consistent praise from Denver coaches this offseason both as an intermediate and downfield pass catcher. Mims, who has been used primarily as a gadget guy, was targeted on 20 percent of his routes last season and ended the year with 322 yards over 15 games. Bryant’s usage will be something to monitor in Week 1.

The questionable designation is a formality. The teams will not throw Mims back into this game after he left with a foot issue in the first half. Mims’ role as a receiver declined last year, but he remains one of the league’s best returners. Sean Payton would need to figure out a plan for both kick and punt return duties.

He compares it to Bryant’s 48 percent of the snaps last year while missing a few games with a concussion, suggesting he expects Bryant to become the main third receiver for this passing game behind Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton. Kosmider quotes Sean Payton as saying “We don’t have a classic third (receiver),” which makes us think each of Bryant, Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims could be used situationally. No matter who wins the lead role of the three, it’s hard to imagine much fantasy value for the Broncos WR3 role given the split.

Evans compares Mims to Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed, who recently signed a three-year deal averaging more than $17 million per year. Shaheed is a more accomplished wide receiver, but both players are decorated special teams returners. Per Evans, one agent who works with several NFL wide receivers believes Mims could earn $11 to $13 million annually as things currently stand. Should he contribute more offensively, those numbers could go up. Earlier this week, Mims publicly acknowledged that this may be his last year in Denver. Evans writes that Broncos coach Sean Payton wants to give Mims more offensive opportunities, but the offensive staff “has not always trusted Mims to run a full route tree.” If Payton really wanted to further incorporate Mims into the offense, we can’t understand why that hasn’t already happened, though. Mims should only be viewed as a late-round dart throw in best ball right now.

“Sometimes I am a little irritated with my situation,” Mims added. “But at the end of the day, I’m blessed to be where I am.” The Jaylen Waddle trade has effectively blocked Mims from much chance of offensive snaps as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. At the same time, he’s such an explosive punt returner that the Broncos probably still see him as a roster lock. It’s not fully over for those of you hanging on in dynasty leagues, but it certainly doesn’t look promising in the short-term for Mims to put up any offensive volume.

He does concede that teams in need of wide receiver help could call between now and the NFL Draft. Between Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims, Mims is by far the least-accomplished player and would presumably (our interpretation) be the most available. The Broncos were hampered by injuries to their wideouts down the stretch, and that was what enabled Mims to get major run in the playoffs. It wouldn’t be surprising if a wideout-needy team like the Jets were in touch with the Broncos.

Mims made a guest appearance on Altitude TV, a regional sports network, and was asked for his thoughts on the Broncos’ recent trade for Waddle. Mims celebrated Waddle’s explosive play-making ability, but admitted that he was “really surprised” to learn of the deal. Although Waddle is far more accomplished, the two players share similar, shifty playing styles and excel after the catch. Mims closed the segment by saying that he has taken pride in being able to “play running back, be a returner, be a receiver” and is happy to affect the game however possible. Mims, 24, has flashed intriguing traits throughout his three-year career, though he has not yet broken out as a reliable starter. With Waddle in town, Mims will likely remain stuck in a versatile, albeit fantasy-unfriendly, backup role.

The news comes less than an hour after the team announced it had signed fellow tight end Adam Trautman, with the top trio of Evan Engram, Trautman, and Adkins all returning for the 2026 season. Adkins managed just 245 offensive snaps a season ago but brings depth to a position of great importance to head coach Sean Payton’s offense. The financials of the deal were not yet made public.

Mims hauled in a 52-yard pass from Jarrett Stidham in the first quarter that helped set up a six-yard touchdown catch by Courtland Sutton two plays later. Despite the big play, it was another forgettable season for Mims overall, who continues to see light work in his third season in the league under Sean Payton. Despite showing flashes when the opportunity arises, Mims’ 276 routes run on the season, per PFF, were the fourth-most of any Broncos receiver this season, as were his 51 targets. Troy Franklin took hold of the No. 2 receiver spot in Denver early, and Patrick Bryant blocked Mims from the field late. A reliable option both on offense and special teams, Mims seems unlikely to offer much fantasy upside to his managers in 2026 after managing just 37-322-1 this season.

Mims had topped 30 yards receiving only twice during the regular season, but he showed up big when the Broncos needed him most. Both Pat Bryant (concussion) and Troy Franklin (hamstring) left this game early, and Mims stepped up to fill their shoes. His biggest catch was a go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter. After the Bills had to bring in fourth-string cornerback Dane Jackson, Mims burned him on a corner route and hauled in a tough over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone. It’s unclear if either of Franklin or Bryant will be cleared to play next week, so Mims may be relied on heavily again, but with Bo Nix out for the remainder of the season, it’s hard to get excited about this Broncos passing attack.