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Baylor Football: Denzel Mims could be a top receiver in 2019 NFL Draft

By Andrew Miller

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 11: Denzel Mims #15 of the Baylor Bears is unable to make the one handed catch while being defended by Jah'Shawn Johnson #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game on November 11, 2017 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 38-24. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 11: Denzel Mims #15 of the Baylor Bears is unable to make the one handed catch while being defended by Jah'Shawn Johnson #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game on November 11, 2017 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 38-24. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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Since the 2018 NFL Draft is now in the books, some fans are now looking forward to the 2019 NFL Draft where Baylor football‘s Denzel Mims could be huge.

Baylor football did not have a single player selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, after the first full year of head football coach Matt Rhule at the helm. In Rhule’s second year, the Bears look to have a few players sent to the next level under his watch. The best of those prospects is emerging junior wide receiver Denzel Mims.

With a huge 2017 campaign, Mims had his first 1,000 yard receiving season. He had a breakout season that placed him among the very best at his position in the Big 12. Mims also found some natural chemistry with a freshman quarterback that’s also a rising star in the Big 12 now in Charlie Brewer.

Considering all the turnover at quarterback across the conference entering the 2018 season, Baylor’s Brewer is a sleeper name to watch to become one of the best at his position. Mims would see a direct benefit to his stat line if Brewer can become a top producer in the Big 12 throughout the course of an entire regular season.

In terms of the 2019 NFL Draft wide receiver class, A.J. Brown of the Ole Miss Rebels should headline the position group. Brown is a standout talent that promises to be a star at the next level. However, Mims has a few similar qualities to Brown that will make him very successful in the NFL too, like his leaping ability and physical tools.

A lot of Mims’ NFL fate depends on him actually declaring a year early for the draft. Most college football and NFL fans would say that declaring early is the right move for Mims. He’s gotten a lot from his time at Baylor already and could take his talents to the next level while his stock is high.

Athlon Sports has Mims ranked among the 25 2019 NFL Draft prospects to watch in the Big 12 come the fall. He should also solidify himself as a well-respected threat across the Big 12, something he should’ve been able to accomplish in 2017. Baylor’s rough record led to Mims not getting the recognition he probably deserved last year.

Next: 5 reasons Matt Rhule makes Baylor football a contender again

Either way, Mims should fall as a top prospect in next year’s wide receiver class, likely as a middle round selection. At 6-foot-3, his size and athleticism will stick out in the NFL. Some team will realize that before April 2019 comes around.

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