It’s not often you hear about a CFL team targeting an NFL veteran trying to stick around the league at 28 years old, let alone a former second-round draft pick. But it happens more than you know, as CFL teams get 45 names to put on the list. And that’s exactly what’s going on right for a new member of the Dallas Cowboys going into training camp.

Cowboys WR targeted by CFL team

Not that long ago, Cowboys fans day dreamed about the possibility to have wide receiver Denzel Mims rocking the silver and navy. Mims, a second-round draft pick in 2020, never got the Star on his helmet until 2026—he signed with the Cowboys on June 18.

But the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL don’t appear too convinced about Mims parlaying that into a spot on the 53-man roster. On Monday, they added Mims to their “negotiation list.”

So how does it work? By adding a name to the list, that CFL team holds exclusive CFL negotiating rights with that player. For instance, the Argonauts also hold the negotiating rights to Cowboys WR Traeshon Holden, who was added in March.

If Mims or Holden fail to make the Cowboys’ 53-man roster (and land elsewhere in the NFL), the Argonauts would have dibs on them as far as the CFL is concerned. Naturally, the names these teams add are those who could realistically hit the market. In other words, they’re not going to add Dak Prescott to it.

That being said, it’s no secret Mims faces an uphill battle to make the roster. The Cowboys’ wide receiver core includes four names who are absolute locks to make the team; CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, and receiver/returner KaVontae Turpin.

Mims will fight for the fifth or sixth (if there is one) receiver spot with the likes of Holden, Jonathan Mingo, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and others. Though I would project him as a roster cut today, Mims is good enough to attract the attention of the CFL, which is that sweet spot that you’ll find in these negotiation lists.

Why are the Argonauts doing this?

Believe it or not, we have quite the CFL expert here at A to Z Sports, so I had to reach out to him for his take on why Mims makes sense for the Argonauts. So I leave you with that.

Forness: “Adding Mims to the negotiation list is a fascinating one for the Toronto Argonauts. Right now, quarterback Chad Kelly ranks No. 5 in my CFL quarterback power rankings and it’s due to one thing: he takes too many chances down the field, leading to interceptions. That’s what the offense is predicated on, with great downfield receivers in Damonte Coxie, Kevin Mital, and Makai Polk.

“Mims would fit very well in the Argonauts offense with his size and speed, but the question would remain whether or not he would actually be willing to go. He might make more floating around on a practice squad, as Keon Hatcher and Kenny Lawler are the two highest paid wide receivers at just over $330k per 18 game season. If he does head north, Mims would thrive running digs, go’s, and deep corner routes with Kelly attacking down the field. He joins a Toronto negotiation list that already includes some interesting players at wide receiver, including Kole Wilson, Rakim Jarrett, and Kobe Hudson.”