Cowboys to work out WR they almost drafted, nearly traded for

Denzel Mims was linked to the Cowboys when he was a local college prospect. Then the Cowboys front office reportedly reached out about a possible trade for him a few years into a pro career that wasn’t living up to expectations.

Now, just days away from turning 26, the free agent wide receiver and Texas native may be a step closer to finally finding himself wearing the silver and blue.

ESPN’s Todd Archer is reporting that Mims will be working out for the Cowboys on Tuesday, a possible option for shoring up a pass-catching group in Dallas that is left rather thin with the sudden loss of Brandin Cooks to a knee infection.

Mims was a highly-regarded talent in the 2020 draft. The Cowboys knew the Baylor product well and had taken a long look at him for his blazing speed and huge catch radius. But the Cowboys couldn’t have imagined that CeeDee Lamb would fall their way in the first round. With the 51st pick, the Cowboys couldn’t pass up on cornerback Trevon Diggs, and they left Mims on the board. The Jets ended up taking him eight spots later.

But his tenure in New York was marred by injury and personality clashes with the organization. Mims requested a trade heading into his third season, citing a lack of opportunities within the offense. The Cowboys were reportedly one of a handful of teams to inquire about the 6-foot-3 speedster, but deemed the Jets’ asking price of a fourth-round pick too high.

Mims returned to New York for what turned out to be his final year. Overall, he played in just 30 games as a Jet, logging 42 catches for 676 yards and no touchdowns.

He was eventually traded last summer, but the Lions waived him with an injury designation less than a month later. The Steelers then picked him up and signed him to their practice squad, where he stayed for the 2023 season. Mims spent 2024’s camp with Jacksonville and was released in late August.

In Sunday’s 20-17 win, the Cowboys gave 2022 draft pick Jalen Tolbert the bulk of the extra work in replacing Cooks. Jalen Brooks also saw additional time, KaVontae Turpin received his usual smattering of offensive snaps, and promising rookie Ryan Flournoy made his NFL debut.

But the Cowboys may decide that the WR room could use another body, with Cooks on injured reserve for at least a few more weeks. Or they may be wondering if Cooks, with just nine catches and 91 yards over four games, is still the best answer at WR2.

So if Tuesday’s workout goes well, the team’s longstanding attraction to Mims may finally be consummated with a contract and a helmet with a star on it.