Jonathan Mingo trade details: Cowboys pay confusing price for wide receiver
Jerry Jones said during his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan that the Dallas Cowboys were bringing in a receiver they really like ahead of the 2024 NFL trade deadline.
Minutes later, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Cowboys would be acquiring wideout Jonathan Mingo from the Carolina Panthers ahead of the trade deadline.
Mingo, 23, was a second-round pick by the Panthers in the 2023 NFL draft but has struggled to find his footing in Carolina. He ranked third on the team in snap counts through Week 9 but ranked just seventh on the team in receptions (12) and fifth in receiving yards (121) before being traded.
The Cowboys are paying a hefty price to acquire Mingo despite the receiver's lack of production. The team clearly views him as a key organizational piece and a potential long-term partner for CeeDee Lamb.
Here's what to know about the Mingo trade and why the Cowboys surrendered an early Day 3 pick for the receiver.
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Jonathan Mingo trade details
Cowboys receive:
WR Jonathan Mingo
2025 seventh-round pick
Panthers receive:
2025 fourth-round pick
The Cowboys are sending a fourth-round pick to the Panthers in exchange for Mingo and a seventh-round selection. That sticker price has surprised many, but according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Dallas is confident that a change of scenery will help Mingo become a productive receiver.
"Jonathan Mingo never reached his potential in Carolina, but the Cowboys believe he has a high ceiling and that he will benefit from a fresh start," Rapoport wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
That said, Mingo went for a fourth-round pick even as other veteran NFL receivers have been dealt for less ahead of the 2024 trade deadline. Notably, the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens acquired DeAndre Hopkins and Diontae Johnson respectively for packages centered on fifth-round selections.
Below is a full look at the receiver deals before the 2024 NFL trade deadline thus far:
New York Jets acquire Davante Adams for 2025 third-round pick
Buffalo Bills acquire Amari Cooper, 2025 sixth-round pick for 2025 third-round pick, 2026 seventh-round pick
Chiefs acquire Hopkins for 2025 fifth-round pick
Ravens acquire Johnson, 2025 sixth-round pick for 2025 fifth-round pick
Cowboys acquire Mingo, 2025 seventh-round pick for 2025 fourth-round pick
So, why did Dallas pay a premium to acquire Mingo? It's all about his youth and upside. The second-year receiver doesn't turn 24 until April 20, 2025 and the Panthers very recently spent a second-round pick (No. 39 overall) on him.
Dallas' acquisition of Mingo is also a long-term move rather than a rental, as the he 6-2, 220-pound receiver is on a cost-controlled contract through the 2026 NFL season.
As such, it was always going to take a strong return for the Panthers to part with Mingo – even if his production through his first season and a half was lacking.
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Jonathan Mingo stats
Mingo has played in 24 NFL games through two seasons with 19 starts. Below is a look at his stats across those contests.
Targets: 111
Receptions: 55
Receiving yards: 539
Receiving TDs: 0
Yards per reception: 9.8
Mingo has statistically been one of the NFL's worst receivers since entering the NFL. He ranks last in receiving yards among 72 wideouts with at least 50 targets since the start of the 2023 NFL season, according to The 33rd Team, and is bottom-tier in both yards per route run (0.75, 71st overall) and catch percentage (49.5 percent, 72nd) as well.
Pro Football Focus has so far given Mingo a grade of 46.8 for the 2024 NFL season. That ranks 127th out of 130 qualifiers, ahead of only New York Giants receiver Jalin Hyatt, Philadelphia Eagles rookie Johnny Wilson and New England Patriots rookie Ja'Lynn Polk.
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Cowboys WR depth chart: Where Jonathan Mingo fits in
Below is a look at the Cowboys' depth chart at receiver and where Mingo could fit in as he gets acclimated in Dallas.
Given Mingo's struggles to date, it's hard to imagine the Cowboys plugging him into the lineup immediately as a starter. He will likely battle with Brooks, a 2023 seventh-round pick, for playing time as the team's No. 3 receiver as long as Brandin Cooks (knee) remains out of the lineup.
In all likelihood, the Cowboys will look to develop Mingo behind the scenes and potentially give him a chance to proven himself as the season goes along. He shouldn't be expected to make an immediate impact even if the team does quickly install him as the No. 3 receiver ahead of Brooks. Acquiring the former Panther is all about hoping that he can develop into a quality complement to Lamb in 2025 and beyond.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jonathan Mingo trade details: Why Cowboys paid premium for young WR
