Mistake avoided? Cowboys FA signing could've been drafted... but fate

The Dallas Cowboys have been linked with Denzel Mims since he was available during the 2020 NFL draft. Through his failed attempts to establish himself within the league, a Texas reunion has been hoped for by many. In for pre-draft visits, the Cowboys were stunned away from selecting him when CeeDee Lamb fell in their laps with the No. 17 overall selection. Later, after he was unable to find strong footing with the New York Jets, the Cowboys have been linked to him in trade attempts and free-agency inquiries, with nothing coming to fruition until 2026.

Now a member of their offseason roster, Mims’ career has gone nothing like planned. He hasn’t been on an active NFL roster since 2022, spending two seasons in the UFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks and the Dallas Renegades. Neither stint has been impressive. Now, the Cowboys are giving the local product a chance to prove it’s circumstance and opportunity, not a lack of pro talent.

Position: Wide Receiver

Age: 28

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 209 pounds

Hometown: Daingerfield, TX

High School: Daingerfield High

College: Baylor (Film Video vs Oklahoma 2019)

Draft: 2020 second-round pick, No. 59

Contract: One-year contract (2026), $1.145 million

Career Earnings: $4.4 million (per Over The Cap)

Mims has 42 career catches in the NFL, for 676 yards. He’s yet to reach the end zone as a professional, in either the NFL or UFL. He’ll spend his training camp battling with the bottom of the 90-man offseason roster to try and secure a role with the Cowboys in 2026. Dallas has the first four spots locked up with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and Kavontae Turpin. From there, it’s a true camp battle situation between veterans and youngsters alike.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Mistake avoided? Cowboys FA signing could’ve been drafted… but fate