NY Jets: Keelan Cole currently ahead of Denzel Mims on the depth chart

The NY Jets made it a point of emphasis to address the wide receiver position this offseason signing the likes of Corey Davis and Keelan Cole in free agency before adding Elijah Moore in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The result is a wide receiver corps that's as deep as the team has had in years with those three joined by the likes of Jamison Crowder and Denzel Mims.

However, the presumed depth chart might look a little different than initially expected.

The aforementioned Cole has actually been working ahead of Mims during OTAs and is currently slated to be the team's No. 2 wide receiver behind Davis.

The NY Jets have Keelan Cole working ahead of Denzel Mims.

Mims has been dealing with a non-COVID-19 illness and missed some time, but even when on the field in practice, he hasn't done much to stand out and even had a pair of noticeable drops during Tuesday's practice.

Cole, on the other hand, has been one of the stars of OTAs and has quickly become a favorite of quarterback Zach Wilson. The two have connected on a number of throws this spring including a beauty of a 20-yarder during Tuesday's practice in which Wilson threaded the needle between defenders.

As noted by Connor Hughes of The Athletic, Mims has worked almost exclusively with the second-team offense in OTAs. And given that preference is usually given to returning players early in spring practices, that doesn't bode well for his chances at starting in 2021.

Cole is one of the more under-the-radar signings the Jets made this offseason. After four successful seasons in Jacksonville, the former undrafted free agent signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Jets in the offseason.

He has experience playing both outside and in the slot and should find numerous ways to contribute on offense this season. But perhaps he'll do so as one of the team's starting wideouts.

Mims had an up-and-down rookie season that was plagued by a hamstring injury which caused him to miss the first half of the season.

He flashed at times late in the year, but never really got going — partially due to an abysmal offense and lackluster quarterback play.

The Jets brought in extra competition in the offseason meaning that Mims won't be guaranteed a significant role in the offense. And seeing as though the team sees Cole as a better fit in the new scheme, Mims might be fighting an uphill battle.

Second-year slump or second-year breakout? Right now, it seems like the former is more likely than the latter.