NFL Futures: Jonathan Mingo to the Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys Acquire Jonathan Mingo: Trade Details and Future Outlook

The Carolina Panthers have traded wide receiver Jonathan Mingo to the Dallas Cowboys, along with a 2025 seventh-round pick, in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick. 

This move gives Mingo a fresh start with Dallas, who hope to salvage a challenging season amid injuries and a three-game losing streak. Meanwhile, Carolina continues to build its draft capital as it reshapes its roster. Let’s explore why each team moved, how Mingo fits with the Cowboys and the implications for NFL Futures.

Why the Panthers Moved on from Mingo

Carolina’s decision to trade Mingo is part of a broader roster reset following a disappointing season start. The Panthers, now 2-7, recently dealt wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens, securing additional draft assets in a pick swap. 

The Panthers general manager, Dan Morgan, saw this as an opportunity to gain even more value for Mingo, an underperforming second-year receiver who struggled to find consistency. 

Mingo, a second-round pick in 2023, showed promise as a rookie with 43 catches for 418 yards. However, he only has 12 receptions for 121 yards this season and has seen his role significantly reduced, with just four targets in the past three games. 

Mingo’s diminished role partly results from the rise of rookies Xavier Legette, a first-rounder, and undrafted free agent Jalen Coker, who has outperformed him in Carolina’s offense. Though the Panthers initially hoped Mingo would be a long-term target for quarterback Bryce Young, his raw route-running and limited versatility left him behind in a crowded receiver room. By trading Mingo, Carolina adds another valuable pick for next spring’s draft, continuing their rebuild with more future assets.

Why the Cowboys Acquired Mingo

At 3-5, the Cowboys face an uphill battle to turn their season around. During his weekly radio interview, owner Jerry Jones confirmed that Mingo was a player Dallas was highly interested in during the 2023 draft. 

With quarterback Dak Prescott sidelined for several weeks due to a hamstring injury and backup options strained, adding a receiver like Mingo brings potential depth and a fresh spark to Dallas’s offense.

The Cowboys have leaned heavily on star receiver CeeDee Lamb, who leads the team with 53 receptions, and Jalen Tolbert, who has 30 catches. Mingo’s addition will help diversify their passing game, even as Prescott’s absence limits Dallas’s offensive potential. Despite the team’s record, Jones emphasized that Dallas intends to “buy” rather than “sell” at the trade deadline, indicating a commitment to making a late-season push. According to Jones, “We’re gonna have to do something that’s a storybook-type of scenario,” pointing to his belief in the team’s ability to pull off an improbable comeback.

Did the Cowboys Overpay?

The Cowboys’ decision to part with a fourth-round pick for Mingo, a receiver who has yet to establish himself fully, raised some questions. Mingo’s rookie contract means Dallas will have two more years of control over him, but the pick could have been used for a player with four years on a rookie deal. 

Still, Mingo’s raw athletic ability and potential upside fit the mold of a Jerry Jones acquisition. The Cowboys have always valued physical receivers. Mingo’s profile—6-foot-2, 220 pounds, with impressive combined numbers—makes him an intriguing addition, especially as Dallas hopes a new setting can bring more consistency.

Mingo’s Fit with the Cowboys

Jonathan Mingo brings physical talent and athletic potential to Dallas’s receiving corps. Known for his explosiveness, he ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and logged a 39.5-inch vertical leap at the combine, standing out as one of the most athletically gifted receivers in his draft class. 

While his route-running and blocking skills remain underdeveloped, Mingo’s time in Carolina has helped him grow. He is projected as a big-bodied X receiver who can win physical matchups and contribute to the blocking game. Although he’s only recorded 12 catches this season, Carolina’s offensive struggles may have limited his production.

Mingo’s role will likely be complementary in Dallas, adding depth behind Lamb and Tolbert. Given Prescott’s injury and the Cowboys’ current standing, Mingo won’t immediately transform Dallas’s offense. However, the team hopes that a change of scenery and guidance from the Cowboys’ coaching staff can unlock the potential they saw in him during the draft process.

Can Mingo Help Turn Around Dallas’s Season?

While Mingo brings potential and athleticism, the immediate impact on Dallas’s season may be limited, especially with Prescott sidelined. Still, the addition gives Dallas another young receiver with upside, helping them address depth concerns. Moving Mingo adds a valuable draft pick for Carolina and reflects their commitment to building for the future. This trade offers Mingo a new opportunity in Dallas and supports Carolina’s long-term rebuild strategy.