Where Marvin Mims stacked up against NFL’s returners in 2023

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims had a limited role on offense as a rookie, but he made a big impact on special teams.

Mims was elected to the Pro Bowl by players, coaches and fans after he returned 19 punts for 312 yards and 15 kickoffs for 397 yards and one touchdown in his first season as a pro. Mims is now set to handle return duties for the AFC at the Pro Bowl next month.

“How cool for Marvin in his rookie year to be able to come in and be selected as a starter?” Broncos safety Justin Simmons said last week. “Well-deserved for him.”

Among players with double-digit returns, Mims ranked fourth in the NFL averaging 26.5 yards per kickoff return (first in the AFC). He averaged 16.4 yards per punt return, best in the league among qualified returners.

The three players above Mims on kickoffs were KaVontae Turpin (29.2 YPR), Velus Jones Jr. (27.2 YPR) and Raheem Blackshear (26.9 YPR). Here’s a quick look at where Mims stacked up among kickoff and punt returners in 2023.

Kickoff Returns

(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

1. KaVontae Turpin: 29.2 YPR

(Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)

2. Velus Jones Jr.: 27.2 YPR

(Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)

3. Raheem Blackshear: 26.9 YPR

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

4. Marvin Mims Jr.: 26.5 YPR

(Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)

Punt Returns

(Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK)

1. Marvin Mims: 16.4 YPR

(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

2. Derius Davis: 16 YPR

(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

3. Britain Covey: 14.4 YPR

(Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)

4. Rashid Shaheed: 13.6 YPR

(Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)