Grateful Steelers wide receiver Denzel Mims wants to make an impression
At one point last Summer, Denzel Mims did not know what would happen when he got injured after being traded to the Detroit Lions. Once a highly touted second-round pick with the New York Jets, Mims flamed out in New York, and the Lions decided to trade for him. But an ankle injury in training camp derailed his opportunity, and since he was waived from the team’s injured reserve, Mims has looked for a new place. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the first team to give him that chance. But he has learned all too well not to get comfortable.
“Don’t be comfortable, really,” Mims said. “That’s what my NFL journey taught me. I can’t take anything for granted. There’s nothing guaranteed in this league. It doesn’t really matter no matter how good you’re doing or how good you’re performing; if you’re not available, you might not be there the next day. Just be available, and don’t be too comfortable. Have a chip on your shoulder, keep going, and make sure you’re available. That’s just what I’ve learned, being on my third team.”
Frisman Jackson, the former wide receivers coach, was the link that connected the Steelers and the Mims. He and Mims attended Baylor together, and under his leadership, Mims blossomed into one of the conference’s top wide receivers. However, Zach Azzanni is now entering the room and attempting to infuse it with a degree of energy and intensity that they thought was missing a year ago.
Mims was a highly-regarded talent coming out of Baylor who was seen as a first-round prospect. When he arrived, the Steelers were definitely considering taking him with the 49th pick, but they ultimately decided to select Chase Claypool.
“I think I can relieve a lot of pressure and assist the Steelers’ receiving corps,” Mims remarked. “I feel like I can help them in the blocking game and make some plays to help them just with double coverage.”
