NFL Draft Profile: Jordan Mims, Running Back, Fresno State Bulldogs
In this story:
Jordan Mims
Fresno State Bulldogs
#7
Pos: RB
Ht: 5102
Wt: 200
Hand: 0928
Arm: 3118
Wing: 7548
40: 4.55
DOB: 6/16/1999
Hometown: East Palo Alto, CA
High School: Menlo-Atherton
Eligibility: 2023
One Liner:
Jordan is a smart running back that uses pace and short area burst to compensate for his lack of athleticism.
Evaluation:
Jordan Mims is one of the more unique runners in this year’s draft. Mims uses very good vision to read defenders and find open running lanes around the line of scrimmage. He has a good first step to make quick decisions on running lanes between the tackles and in the open field. He also has solid hands out of the backfield and is at his best with the ball in his hands outside the numbers. Mims has great footwork in the open field and uses it to evade defenders. Instead of winning with speed or physicality, Mims excels at breaking defenders down using his shoulders as deception and having really good small-area movement. The best attribute to his game is his ability to play at his own pace. Mims will use deceleration and quick twitch movements to throw defenders off and force them to play smarter against him.
Mims’ size did not plague him at the college level, but at 6’ 200 lbs, Mims has to put on some weight to have an opportunity at the next level. Playing at this weight will affect his ability to withstand repeated hits from bigger, stronger defenders in situations where he has the ball in his hands and when he is blocking. Mims’s most obvious limitation to his game is his lack of notable athleticism. He does not have great breakaway speed, nor does he win often through physicality and strength. Mims would be best suited as a change-of-pace back at the next level, used predominantly in third-down situations where he can make plays in the open field.
Grade:
7th round
Quotes:
"Jordan has been here a long, long time. He's made a huge impact on this program... And he's a young man who never says anything. Doesn't complain about anything. He just comes to work every single day, committed to the team and the program.” Fresno State Head Coach Jeff Tedford
Background:
Jordan Mims broke onto the college football scene in the 2021 season, where he finished with over 1000 total yards and 10 touchdowns. He became a notable NFL draft prospect in 2022 by eclipsing nearly 1500 total yards and 19 touchdowns on the season. Before college Mims was selected as All-Peninsula Athletic League Football first-team in both his junior and senior years. He was named 2016 MaxPreps All-NorCal offensive second-team selection in his senior year as he ran for 2,388 yards and 29 touchdowns.
