The New York Jets have shown some fortitude this season as they went 2-2 in four games against the AFC North to start their season. They could very well be 0-4, but two fourth-quarter comebacks have left them with a .500 record at the quarter mark of the season. Could a trade with the Chicago Bears be on the horizon?
Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, it was Joe Flacco leading the comeback as the Jets scored two touchdowns after the two-minute warning to pick up the shocking win. In Week 4, also on the road, Zach Wilson led the offense down the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers for another improbable victory.
Absent from both of those comebacks was wide receiver, Denzel Mims. Mims had a strong finish to the preseason, but knowing what lay ahead, Mims requested a trade from the Jets. Despite having some trade talks, the Jets didn’t seem too interested in trading away Mims.
The second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Baylor has been a healthy scratch all four games thus far this season, just as he thought would happen. Mims has fallen way down the depth chart as the Jets used draft picks on Elijah Moore and Garrett Wilson the last two years. The team also signed Corey Davis as a free agent last year and re-signed Braxton Berrios this past offseason. Because he doesn’t play special teams, Mims has been inactive in favor of Jeff Smith as well.
Without a path to playing time, Mims should be hoping to get traded. One team that could check in on his availability is the Chicago Bears.
There likely isn’t a team in the NFL with as underwhelming a receiving group as the Bears. They are doing a disservice to quarterback Justin Fields by trotting him out there given the level of talent surrounding him.
Mims is someone that would be worthwhile for the Bears to take a shot on. There is a reason he was selected in the second round, he just hasn’t had many chances with the Jets to showcase that potential. With the Bears, he would have a much clearer path to playing time.
Trading away draft capital isn’t normally a good idea for a rebuilding team, but Chicago should look to make a deal to acquire the former Baylor standout. A late-round pick, given his standing on the roster, should be enough to get a deal done.
A fifth-round pick should be fair value for Denzel Mims as he cannot get on the field for the Jets. While New York is holding out for more, getting any draft compensation for a player that isn’t part of their current or future plans is a good move for Joe Douglas to pull off.
