The Denver Broncos will need Marvin Mims Jr. against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.

Sean Payton Predicts the Triumphant Return of Exiled Broncos Rookie WR

Marvin Mims Jr., a rookie wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, has only received two targets in the last three games. Mims had 11 targets in the four games preceding his multi-fumble performance against the New York Jets in Week 5, nine of which he caught for 242 yards and a touchdown.

A month after Week 5, it’s clear that Sean Payton has kept Mims out of the Broncos offense, despite his 22.4 yards per reception this season. Payton, for one, is still hesitant to acknowledge Mims’ apparent exile.

When asked how he plans to involve the Broncos’ dynamic rookie wideout more down the stretch, Payton cited the need to feed the other deserving playmakers.

“It’s a good question,” Payton responded. “It’s an excellent question. How do we get Marvin more touches and incorporate him more into our offensive strategy? I’m sitting here, staring at a notepad with his jersey number written on it. That is our responsibility as coaches. We are confident in our young, talented player. Obviously, other offensive players deserve the same level of attention in terms of play design.”

With the possible exception of Courtland Sutton, no Broncos pass-catcher has been putting up big numbers. Sutton’s six touchdowns are his only notable stat; otherwise, he’s averaging a career-low 11.5 yards per reception with 380 yards on 33 catches.

Payton may be referring to Jerry Jeudy…

*reviews notes*

Over the last three games, Jeudy has received six targets per game, but he has only 42 receiving yards in each. So it doesn’t appear that the Jeudy juice was worth as much as Payton would have fans believe.

During the bye week, Payton may have discovered a better way to use Mims. Even if he hasn’t, the Broncos risk undermining Mims’ confidence as a young player the longer his suspension lasts. Payton needs to get him involved again, both for the immediate benefit of the Broncos and for the long-term prospects of the rookie.

“We’re going to work our tails off to move that needle where he’s getting opportunities, not only in the passing game,” Payton said of the quarterback. “He just does a lot of things well, and he’s really good with the ball in his hands.”

Isn’t that correct? Before he muffed a punt and botched a reverse toss to Samaje Perine against the Jets (the latter of which Payton has already publicly absolved the rookie of), Mims was a clear difference-maker.

The Broncos have won two straight games by battening down the hatches and steadfastly committing to the run. Now is the time to start capitalizing on that skill with some timely play-action passes to take the top off defenses.

Mims is the man for the job. The longer Payton waits, the less explosive the offense becomes, and the more opponents will load the box, crowd the line of scrimmage, and sell out to stop Denver’s suddenly dominant run game.

On Monday Night Football, the Buffalo Bills will put Payton’s commitment to the run to the test. Don’t be surprised if Mims makes a triumphant return to the offense at that point.

After all, Payton understands how the sausage is made as well as any NFL offensive mind.