Finding Broncos: Two Sooners to Keep an Eye on.
The name of the game in the Big 12 Conference is high-flying offenses that spread the football out with relative ease. Receivers are frequently schemed open, offensive linemen are tasked with a high volume of pass protection snaps, and running games are based on read-option, and run-pass-option looks from shotgun formations.
As one of the top-flight programs in the conference, the Oklahoma Sooners have churned out several high-quality players at the NFL level for several years. This year is no different, and a pair of players happen to fit some needs for the Denver Broncos.
Wanya Morris | OT | Oklahoma
Pros:
- Long frame with long arms to keep defenders at bay.
- Patient with his hands to set up defenders to show their first move.
- First punch is accurate and lands well inside the framework of the defender.
- Lateral kick slide is tight and compact, keeping his hips square to his opponent.
- He mirrors well when spaced from his opponent.
- Grip strength looks good enough in pass protection moving around the arc.
- He pulls across the formation easily as a run blocker, showing a strong first step while opening his hips to the inside.
- Firm anchor to stop bull rushes.
- Physicality in the second level can open big plays in the run game.
- Has played at both right and left tackle at the college level
Cons:
- Stands up too frequently off of the snap, opening leverage for defenders.
- Head down blocker that whiffs out in open space.
- He needs to play to his length more often.
- Vertical athleticism in the kick slide and moving forward is lacking.
- Top heavy frame leads to leaning into contact and falling when defenders move laterally.
- The initial punch power is weak and allows defenders to reset too easily.
- Slower hands after first contact opens up counter moves.
- Spends a lot of negative time on the ground.
- Lateral change of direction ability to counter inside moves needs dramatic improvement.
- A one-year starter that still has a long way to go in terms of development.
Overview:
Wanya Morris is a developmental tackle prospect with a nice frame and length for the position. Some clunky footwork shows on tape, but there is little doubt that he has enough athleticism to become a solid player as a swing tackle at the NFL level. Morris shows some flashes of dominance in his upper half with his ability to land precise punches and mirror ability on the boundary. Still, the overall power of his game will land him in trouble at the NFL level. Morris is incredibly raw as a run blocker when out in space, frequently appearing lost while looking for an assignment. However, when he lands on a second-level defender, the play typically ends with number imprints in the grass.
As he develops, Morris needs to work on his play recognition, balance recovery after first contact, and footwork to change direction in pass protection. However, given his lack of experience on the boundary and some of his limitations with contact balance and lateral agility, Morris may be better suited as a guard at the NFL level early on in his career.
Fit with the Broncos:
The Broncos need depth at almost every position on the offensive line, but especially at tackle. Even with Garett Bolles and newly signed Mike McGlinchey as the book ends on the offensive line, Denver is without options in terms of depth. Cameron Fleming is a free agent, and Quinn Bailey has mainly been used as a guard to date. While Morris is more of a developmental player at this point, he has enough upside to step in and play immediately if somebody goes down with an injury.
The last player the Broncos drafted at the tackle position was Bolles in 2017. Morris is a solid option if things go toward the worst in 2023.
© Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Marvin Mims | WR | Oklahoma
Pros:
- Long strider with long speed to take the top off of the defense in the vertical passing game.
- Tracks the ball smoothly when running deep routes.
- Quick to get to top speed with solid gear-down ability.
- Disguises route stems well and explodes through the break to create separation.
- Smooth route runner on double moves.
- He sees the field well to find open space to work with or without the ball.
- High-quality blocker with plus level physicality for his size.
- Slot and boundary versatility, though his best work came from the slot in 2021.
- He is a reliable hands catcher with few drops or fumbles over his career.
- Gadget ability out of the backfield to open versatility and create dynamic playmaking ability.
Cons:
- A smaller player at the position.
- Route running ability needs overall refinement.
- Relies on his speed more than nuance.
- Smaller catch radius.
- Lacking physicality at the catch point in contested catch situations.
- Schemed open a lot, specifically on deep passes.
- Some instances where it appears he cuts routes off prior to the end of the play.
- Due to size and strength concerns, he will probably be limited to a slot role only early in his career.
- Often awarded free releases, so defeating press coverage is a slight concern due to lack of tape.
- Not a guy adept at making players miss tackles with strength.
Overview:
Despite being a smaller player with some limitations early in his career, Marvin Mims is an explosive playmaker capable of taking the top off a defense with elite straight-line speed. Mims is electric, especially on double moves. However, there are some times when his route running underneath and in the intermediate areas is a little bit shaky due to the offense deployed at Oklahoma. Still, Mims has enough twitch and fluidity in his lower half to become a high-quality player in that aspect as he continues to develop.
A reliable weapon with a great ability to find open creases and exploit them with the ball in his hands, Mims can be used in some jet sweep, screen, and gadget plays designed to get him in space and go to work with his incredible acceleration. In addition, his ability to eliminate angular pursuit is high level, making him a player that offensive coordinators could covet as a big play dynamo.
Fit with the Broncos:
Despite having KJ Hamler as a speed demon in the receiver room, he has been hampered by injuries over the first three years of his career and hasn't been reliable as a pass catcher. The Broncos are also rumored to be moving on from one of Jerry Jeudy or Courtland Sutton (or both) this offseason as Sean Payton plants his fingerprints on the roster. While Mims may not meet some of the size requirements that Payton would have liked to have at the position, Mims offers a skill set and reliability factor that the Broncos don't have, making him a decent fit for the offense.
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