Baylor Football: Just how dangerous is Denzel Mims?

After an extremely productive sophomore season, Baylor football’s Denzel Mims looks like one of the best receivers in the country.

If you’re a defensive back in the Big 12, there’s one receiver who induces nightmares on a regular basis. That receiver is Baylor’s Denzel Mims, a junior from Daingerfield, Texas, who had a breakout season in 2017, his first year as a full-time starter.

Mims had just four catches for 24 yards as a freshman but shocked just about everyone in his sophomore season, racking up 1,087 yards and eight touchdowns with 61 receptions. He became a receiver who opposing defensive backs feared and a top NFL draft prospect.

Just how dangerous is Mims heading into his junior season?

Let’s just say that Baylor could go 1-11 again and no one would want to play defense against the Bears because Mims has that type of effect on opponents. He’s got great size at 6-3, 197 pounds and his speed and route-running help him create separation from cornerbacks and he can always use his size to win 50-50 balls on bad, back-shoulder or jump-ball throws.

Moreover, having Charlie Brewer back for his sophomore year makes him that much more dangerous. He has a proven quarterback throwing him the ball for the second straight full season and he already holds a size advantage over most defensive backs.

We could see Mims take over the Big 12 this season and mold into an early-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. He could approach the 1,500-yard mark, in terms of receiving — he’s just that good.

Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Way-too-early complete first round

There were bright spots in the Bears’ ugly 2017 season under Matt Rhule, and Mims will be carrying over that light into 2018.