2023 NFL draft: 10 biggest offensive standouts from 2023 East-West Shrine & Senior Bowl events

#3. Jordan Mims, Fresno State (RB)

Fresno State v Minnesota

Now combining the running back position with the school we started with in Fresno State, there’s another former Bulldog who turned some heads in Las Vegas.

Despite sharing the backfield with Ronnie Rivers in 2021, Jordan Mims racked up over 1,000 yards and ten touchdowns from scrimmage. Last season, he came just two yards shy of 1,500 total and was one score away from doubling his TDs from the season prior, earning himself first-team All-Mountain West accolades.

While his receiving production dipped a little bit this past year, it didn’t take long for Mims to showcase that he can still be a valuable asset in that area of the game. His suddenness and ability to manipulate linebackers with his eyes to create separation as a route-runner came up regularly.

Mims looked comfortable when flexed out wide. He once ran a great curl route, where he really dropped those hips, attacked back towards the quarterback and snatched the ball over his head, away from his frame.

After the catch during full plays, he consistently looked to make the first man miss. On blitz pick-up day, Mims stepped up and brought his punch, before guiding linebackers off track. Considering he had already impressed as a pass-catcher, he stood his ground much better than I expected. He was almost a little overaggressive in his approach at times, but I liked his attitude in that regard and he simply didn’t lose many reps.

In team drills, Mims’ burst to the corner stood out on multiple occasions. That included some nice moments pressing a crease and then bouncing around traffic before getting back downhill. You saw him cut down his stride length, kind of hide behind blockers and force linebackers to commit.

The show didn’t stop in the actual game, being involved as a receiver in the flats and creating easy yardage. Mims displayed his burst through the line and delivered the longest run of the day (30 yards) early on (where he cut a zone run all the way back and broke the ankles of a DB on like a cross-over move, to get out to the sideline). That’s after already being voted the East RB of the Week.