2020 NFL draft profile: Denzel Mims more than a dark horse candidate

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Though not as popular as Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, Henry Ruggs or even Justin Jefferson, Denzel Mims might be rising up draft boards — to the point he's a darkhorse candidate to be the Eagles' first-round pick.

Actually, scratch the darkhorse part. Mims could very easily go 21.

An impressive combine performance certainly didn't hurt his stock. Mims is the only wide receiver taller than 6-foot — 6-foot-3, to be exact — to run the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds, and he recorded by far the fastest time in the three-cone drill, too.

Mims was productive at Baylor as well, recording two 1,000-yard seasons over his final three years, and totaling 186 receptions, 2,925 yards and 28 touchdowns over his career.

Route running and physicality need work, but Mims has a combination of size and speed you can't teach, making him a threat to go deep and in the red zone.

Current roster at WR: DeSean Jackson is healthy after missing almost all of last season and is 3. Alshon Jeffery is currently still injured and not a lock to be on the team if the Eagles can find a trade partner. Both could be gone in 2021, leaving J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Greg Ward as the only other receivers with more than three career catches — and not many more.

How he would fit: Mims would immediately take over for Jeffery, at least until the veteran is healthy enough to return. Even then, the rookie could rotate into both Jeffery's and Jackson's spots, as both are injury-prone receivers in their 30s who probably shouldn't be on the field all the time anyway. Bigger picture, the hope would be for Mims to develop into a playmaker who can stretch defenses vertically, win 50/50 balls down the field and provide a big target in the red zone.

Eagles' history at WR in draft: The Eagles have taken receivers around 21 before, to varying degrees of success — Nelson Agholor at 20 in 2015, Jeremy Maclin at 19 in 2009, Freddie Mitchel at 25 in 2001 and Mike Quick at 20 in 1982. Also, a pair of recent second-rounders are currently on the roster in Arcega-Whiteside and Jackson, while another, Jordan Matthews, had his third stint with the club last season.

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