Wide receiver Denzel Mims frustrated to miss out on New York Jets starting line-up
- Heinrich Griessel
- 1 September 2022
New York Jets wideout Denzel Mims has made no secret of the fact he feels underrated by the team's coaching staff, as he sees himself as a starter.
The 24-year-old is in his third year in the NFL and believes he has the tools to compete as a starting wide receiver.
Unfortunately for Mims, the Jets coaches reckon he's more of a backup and special teams asset. He started only three games in 2021.
"I feel like I already pretty much [proved it], from OTAs until now," he said, via ESPN. "I mean, they're pretty set on who they want.
"I feel like, yeah, I feel like [the coaches] have made their mind up, honestly. But I feel like I can change their mind on that. I feel like I've been doing that. Their minds are pretty made up, though."
Mims did not play a single snap with the Jets first-team line-up during pre-season, with Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Garrett Wilson, and Braxton Berrios all ahead of him on the depth chart.
"Of course, I'm going to be frustrated that I'm not playing with the starters, but I've got to continue to work," added Mims.
"I have no problem playing special teams, I don't at all, but I feel like I'm a starting receiver."
The speedster even put in a trade request in an effort to find some playing time elsewhere, but Jets GM Joe Douglas thinks it's a positive to have players who are determined to start.
"I wouldn't say he wants to be somewhere else; he wants to play," Douglas said.
"He wants to start. Denzel is very confident. He has voiced that, that he wants to be a starter. Ultimately, you want a team full of guys that feel like they should be the No. 1 guy."
