The Dallas Cowboys currently have four wide receiver spots locked in: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens (who’s expected to play on the franchise tag), Ryan Flournoy, and KaVontae Turpin. Meanwhile, several notable players will compete for the final spot/s on the 53-man roster, including Jonathan Mingo, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tyler Johnson, and seventh-round pick Anthony Smith. The Cowboys recently added a former high draft pick to the fold.
The Dallas Cowboys land tall wide receiver, former 2nd-round pick
Nov 29, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims (11) gains yards after the catch during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
According to Todd Archer of ESPN NFL Nation, the Cowboys have signed Denzel Mims to a contract. He is a tall 6-foot-3 wide receiver who played college football for the Baylor Bears from 2016-2019 and was selected by the New York Jets 59th overall in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft but has not lived up to the high draft pick. The last NFL game the 28-year-old Mims played was in 2022, and he has since bounced around with multiple NFL and UFL teams.
The Cowboys have agreed to terms with 3 UFL players: WR Denzel Mims, CB Ameer Speed, OL Chris Glaser, per sources. To make room, Matt Hennessy to IR and DB Corey Ballentine and WR Romello Brinson have been released. One roster spot remains open as training camp awaits.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) June 18, 2026
Mims aims to return to his 2019 form, his final collegiate season at Baylor, when he recorded 66 receptions for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns, while hauling in 17 of 37 contested catches and scoring six touchdowns in the red zone.
Here’s a quick review of his professional career
Denzel Mims spent his first three seasons with the New York Jets but had limited opportunities, with 42 receptions on 92 targets for 676 yards in 30 games before being traded to the Detroit Lions in the 2023 offseason following a trade request. He suffered an ankle injury in early August and then suffered a calf injury during rehab, resulting in the Lions waiving him with an injury designation. Mims signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad in October but was waived in June 2024. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars shortly after but was waived in August.
The St. Louis Battlehawks signed Denzel Mims in October 2024. He saw limited playing time in 2025, recording five receptions for 51 yards across six games and one start. The Battlehawks released him in May.
The Dallas Renegades drafted Mims in the 2026 UFL Draft. He was buried in the depth chart in 2026 and limited to six receptions for 55 yards across five games and one start.