Marvin Mims introduced himself to the world on Saturday afternoon.

The second-year receiver is anything but a household name, but he really showed out against the Bengals. With the Broncos – Bengals as the only game on, the lights shone brightly.

And it’s unlikely anyone will forget his name after those jaw-dropping touchdown receptions in the fourth quarter.

Marvin Mims having a breakout year is a big bonus for the Broncos

Before the season kicked off, Denver’s receiving corps was a big question mark. They cut Tim Patrick and rolled the dice with Courtland Sutton, new veteran Josh Reynolds, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and rookies Devaugn Vele and Troy Franklin, plus Mims.

Midway through the season, Reynolds was involved in a shooting and later released, leaving the Broncos with even fewer playmakers at receiver.

But Mims has stepped up in a huge way over the second half of Denver’s season.

Typically thought of as a return specialist, he’s been electric again for the special teams unit. However, Marvin Mims has brought that explosive ability to the offense as a receiver as of late.

On Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati, Mims enjoyed a career day and put multiple highlight reel worthy plays on tape.

The first came with the Broncos trailing 17-10 in the early fourth quarter. At that point in the game, Denver’s offense was stifled all day long. They had zero explosive plays of 20-plus yards when Bo Nix dropped back and uncorked an absolute beauty of a bomb.

The ball dropped right into Mims awaiting hands for the game-tying score.

To be fair, that was more a Nix highlight than Mims. But the second-year receiver has put his speed on display and become the Broncos’ best deep threat this season.

Mims’ biggest play Saturday was incredibly clutch.

With only 14 seconds on the clock, the Broncos faced a fourth down they had to convert. Without any timeouts remaining, a shot to the end zone was the smart thing to do.

Nix rolled right as he was pressured, threw off one foot perfectly to Mims, who came down with the ball despite two defenders being draped all over him.

While the young receiver usually relies on his fleet feet, he displayed his strong hands and jumping ability to high point the ball and control it through the ground.

No hyperbole, Marvin Mims is now the sole owner of one of the greatest catches in Denver Broncos history.

Broncos have found their slot, big-shot receiver

All told, Mims enjoyed a career-high eight catches on eight targets Saturday. His two touchdowns were also a career high and half of his season total (4) on the year.

In fact, the Broncos have relied on him a lot more as of late. He has three or more catches in six of the last seven contests. And two 100-yard performances over that same timespan.

Sean Payton has deliberately been getting the ball in Mims’ hands. He’s even been putting the receiver in the backfield at least once per game over the last seven games, as Mims has become an integral part of the offense.

With so many tall receivers on the team, putting the shorter (5’11”) Mims in the slot makes sense. And he could be that guy going forward for the team. He’s made the case to be a starter in 2025 and beyond.

Besides the great play this week, Mims had that 93-yard touchdown catch and sprint to the end zone in the win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 13.

And his surge in the passing game hasn’t taken anything away from his return abilities. His 61-yard punt return against the Colts was a major reason why the Broncos won that game. And Marvin Mims was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts that day.

In fact, his 408 punt return yards and 15.7 yards per return are each best in the NFL.

Mims went to the Pro Bowl last year as a kick returner, and may again this year as a punt returner. But, if he keeps on this trajectory, he’ll be a Pro Bowler at receiver soon. He’s the second-leading receiver on the team behind Courtland Sutton and continues to prove how valuable he is to this Broncos team.