'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgcQAAEEAwEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFAAYSESFxAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACBBEBAAEEAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAEiEiAxFBcf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AgKncarXL6hgMa/HWIlS9ADilj1SC6lzsjgjrodfvpzLti1iqf2C2dKXAXJ8hRAV8HThOMYEstRlkzlq4kTJDDj1kdaRPPlf/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2. Jordan Mims, RB, Buffalo Bills (Fresno State)
As always, there are several quality running backs who went undrafted, due to the sheer volume of options and the fact you can find rotational players, capable of taking on touches early on.
Now, the name I wanted to talk about here is Jordan Mims joining the Buffalo Bills. It took him a while to step into the starting role with Fresno State, but he already impressed as a rotational player, before putting up career-highs in rushing yards (1372) and total touchdowns (19) in 2022, making him a first-team All-Mountain West selection.
Be the GM of your favorite team, use our free Mock Draft Simulator with trades
What stands out with Mims is how he seems to always hit the hole at full speed and regularly clears the reach of defenders trying to get a piece on him as he blows across the line of scrimmage.
He’s a decisive runner, who plants the outside foot with conviction in order to get vertical on zone concepts, but also utilizes jump-cuts effectively in order to get to the opposite edge of blockers if defenders overrun the play.
He consistently runs with his pads over his knees and is looking to churn out yards through contact, while rarely allowing tacklers to get a straight shot on him, pulling his feet out of their grasp, yet maintaining great fundamentals of keeping the ball high and tight (just one fumble across 434 touches since ’21).
What really has me bullish about Mims’ pro outlook is that he was in the role of a pass-catching back early in his career, with 91 total catches for nearly 1,000 yards and eight TDs to show for himself. He confidently snatches the ball and has innate feel for people around him as he secure the catch, even if his back is turned towards the defense.
Along with that, he was one of the better pass-protectors I watched at the position this year, stone-walling some blitzing linebackers by stepping up and bringing the punch to them.
The reason Mims might not have seen selected is that while he does gain yards through contact regularly, he rarely makes tacklers flat-out miss and allowed the safety to bring him down frequently after exploding into the third level. Plus, then he lacks that extra gear to pull away from defenses and rip off 40-plus yard gains.
Mims was extremely impressive during Shrine Bowl week and the more I watched of his tape, I just had a tough time finding many negatives, outside of the few that I already knew about on the surface.
Buffalo has quite a few bodies in that backfield. But James Cook is better suited to split time with a bigger back, Nyheim Hines was rarely used as something more than a return specialist and then you’re looking at a couple of power backs with injury history in Damien Harris and Latavius Murray.
I’m not sure if Mims can make it through the final roster cuts, since the Bills will likely only carry four guys, but if he gets elevated from the practice squad and gets extended run, he may not give that role back.
