Last year, Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims made the Pro Bowl as a returner, but he seldom touched the ball on offense.
That has changed this season as the Broncos are giving Mims more touches on offense, sometimes in unique ways.
“We’re finding new ways to get ‘Mimsy’ involved, and he’s making some big plays,” Denver coach Sean Payton said after Week 11.
Payton has been giving Mims some snaps at running back, and the receiver has made the most of them. Over the last two weeks, Mims has rushed six times for 21 yards while adding six receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Mims said of his unique role. “You know, I always joke every week with the running backs that I need to gain some weight, but we’ll see how that happens. It’s a lot of fun, just giving the defense different looks. You can tell sometimes they don’t know what to do when I’m back there in a running back position. Also punt returner, that’s a huge plus for our offense and special teams, so it’s been a lot of fun.”
Nix to Mims for 37 yards ➡
📺: #ATLvsDEN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/fsfv5UBIQX— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024
Mims (5-11, 182 pounds) won’t be moved to running back full time, but the Broncos will continue to find creative ways to put the ball in his hands.
“I told him, ‘You’re still meeting with the receivers,'” Payton said. “He’s just has some elements, some natural running skills that you see in the return game. There are some challenges when he enters the game for instance with a tight end, and another tight end and two other receivers. You might say ‘02.’ Three receivers, two tight ends and we might be.
“There are some things that you have to make sure you know what you’re trying to do personnel-wise, so you’re not surprised. I think naturally there are some things he does running with the football, and obviously as a receiver. It’s just trying to find ways to highlight the things that he does well.”
Up next for Mims and Co. is a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
