Denzel Mims thinks he's a starter, but it won't be on the NY Jets

When the NY Jets drafted Denzel Mims in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, they did so with the belief that the former Baylor star would develop into a long-term cornerstone of the offense.

Just two years later, Mims is buried on the depth chart entering his third NFL season and seems unlikely to ever regain a prominent role with the team. That doesn't mean he still doesn't believe in his own ability, though.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Mims insisted that he still sees himself "on top." He believes that he's a "starting receiver" and insisted that he's willing to do "anything and everything" he can to establish himself as just that.

Unfortunately, it's hard to imagine that ever happening with the Jets. The Jets have all but moved on from Mims after a disastrous 2021 season that saw him finish with just eight catches for 133 yards.

He's still fighting for a roster spot this summer, but Mims has aspirations beyond being the fifth wide receiver on the depth chart. That's just not going to happen in New York.

Denzel Mims will never reach his full potential with the NY Jets

The Jets have overhauled their wide receiver room over the last few years, and that overhaul really started with the selection of Mims. The addition of Elijah Moore was expected to give the Jets a duo of young wide receivers to build around for the foreseeable future

However, Mims' poor season forced the team to rethink those plans, and they responded by using the 10th overall pick in this year's draft on Garrett Wilson. Throw in a returning Corey Davis and Braxton Berrios and there's no room for Mims on the depth chart.

At the moment, he's fighting with Jeff Smith for playing time, and he's still losing that battle. Mims is penciled in as the fifth or sixth receiver on the Jets' depth chart and will likely be a healthy scratch on game days, barring injury.

He can say he's a starter all he wants, but it's not going to happen with his current team.

Mims has done everything right this offseason. He's shown up in "phenomenal shape," has put together some impressive practices, and has shown a willingness to become a more well-rounded, versatile player.

While none of that will help him climb the Jets' depth chart, it could draw the interest of other teams. At the end of the day, that might just be what Mims and the Jets truly want.

Some players need a change of scenery. Some teams need to cut bait with underperforming draft picks. That's the scenario both likely find themselves in this summer.

The Jets have all but moved on from Denzel Mims, and it might not be long before he moves on from them as well.