The Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver room has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, with CeeDee Lamb shining as a superstar but the supporting cast struggling to keep up. In November 2024, with their season spiraling and quarterback Dak Prescott sidelined, Dallas made a bold move, trading a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for Jonathan Mingo and a seventh-rounder. Was this a savvy investment in a young talent with untapped potential, or a panic move to patch a glaring hole? As the Cowboys gear up for 2025 with George Pickens now in the fold, Mingo’s role is murkier than ever. Let’s break down the trade, Mingo’s fit, and whether he can prove his worth in Dallas.
The Cowboys’ Wide Receiver Woes
The 2024 season exposed Dallas’ dire need for depth at wide receiver. CeeDee Lamb, an All-Pro with 101 catches for 1,194 yards, was a one-man show, often facing double teams due to the lack of a reliable complementary target. Brandin Cooks’ knee injury and inconsistent play from Jalen Tolbert left the offense stagnant. When Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9, the Cowboys’ passing game collapsed under backup Cooper Rush, finishing 3-5 before the trade deadline.
Enter Jonathan Mingo, a 23-year-old second-round pick (39th overall in 2023) from Ole Miss. Acquired just days after Prescott’s injury, Mingo was seen as a high-upside addition to bolster the receiver corps. However, the timing—post-Prescott injury—and the cost—a fourth-round pick—raised eyebrows. With only 12 catches for 121 yards in Carolina that season, Mingo’s lackluster production sparked debate: was this a calculated move or a desperate grasp at straws?
Why Dallas Targeted Mingo
The Cowboys’ interest in Mingo predates the trade. During the 2023 NFL Draft, Dallas had him on their radar, but Carolina snagged him 20 picks before the Cowboys selected tight end Luke Schoonmaker. Mingo’s physical profile—6-foot-2, 220 pounds, with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and 39.5-inch vertical—made him a tantalizing prospect. His college tape at Ole Miss (112 catches, 1,758 yards, 12 touchdowns) showcased a big-bodied receiver with speed and contested-catch ability.
In Carolina, Mingo struggled, playing with rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who threw just 11 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 2023. Mingo’s rookie year yielded 43 catches for 418 yards, but his 2024 role diminished behind Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, with only one catch in his final four games. Dallas saw a change of scenery as a chance to unlock Mingo’s potential, banking on his youth (23) and two years left on his cost-controlled $8.85 million rookie contract. Owner Jerry Jones emphasized Mingo’s draft pedigree, signaling confidence in his long-term fit alongside Lamb.
The Trade: Opportunity or Panic?
The Case for Opportunity
The Mingo trade can be viewed as a strategic bet on a high-ceiling player. At 23, Mingo is younger than many in his draft class, offering developmental upside. His physical tools align with Dallas’ need for a “Z” receiver—a bigger, outside threat to complement Lamb’s versatile slot-and-outside role. With Prescott expected to return healthy in 2025, Mingo could thrive catching passes from an All-Pro quarterback, a stark upgrade from Young and Rush.
The cost—a 2025 fourth-round pick (Trevor Etienne) for Mingo and a seventh-rounder (Tommy Akingbesote)—is steep but not outrageous for a former second-rounder with two years of team control. Compared to trades for veterans like DeAndre Hopkins (fifth-round pick to Kansas City) or Diontae Johnson (fifth-round pick to Baltimore), Dallas paid a premium for Mingo’s youth and potential. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted the Cowboys’ belief that a fresh start could help Mingo “reach his high ceiling.”
Moreover, the trade wasn’t meant to salvage 2024 but to build for 2025 and beyond. Mingo’s $1.55 million base salary in 2025 is budget-friendly, giving Dallas flexibility to address other needs. If he develops into a reliable WR3 or WR2, the trade could be a steal.
The Case for Panic
Critics argue the trade was a knee-jerk reaction to a sinking season. Acquiring Mingo days after Prescott’s injury, with no clear plan to integrate him, suggests desperation. In eight games with Dallas, Mingo caught just 5 of 16 targets for 46 yards, often struggling to get open or connect with Rush. His 49.5% catch percentage and 0.75 yards per route run rank among the NFL’s worst since 2023, raising red flags about his immediate impact.
The timing was puzzling. With Prescott out and Lamb battling a shoulder injury, Dallas needed a proven veteran to stabilize the offense, not a project player. Trading a fourth-round pick—valuable for a team with roster holes—when Mingo was buried on Carolina’s depth chart felt like overpaying. One rival GM called the cost “way too much,” comparing Mingo’s skill set to Tolbert’s and questioning his readiness.
The acquisition of George Pickens in May 2025 further complicates matters. Pickens, a proven WR2 with 1,140 yards in 2023, slides into the No. 2 role, pushing Mingo to WR4 or WR5 behind Lamb, Pickens, and Tolbert. With Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy, and KaVontae Turpin also vying for snaps, Mingo’s path to playing time is narrow, making the trade look like a misstep.
Mingo’s 2025 Outlook
Mingo’s future hinges on his performance in training camp. The battle for the WR3 role against Tolbert, who posted career highs (49 catches, 610 yards, 7 touchdowns in 2024), will be fierce. Mingo’s size and physicality give him an edge as a “Z” receiver, but he must improve his route-running and catch consistency to surpass Tolbert’s reliability. Jalen Brooks and Ryan Flournoy, both showing promise, add pressure from below.
Training camp in Oxnard will be Mingo’s first chance to work with a healthy Prescott, whose accuracy and leadership could unlock Mingo’s potential. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s up-tempo offense, which emphasizes deep shots and play-action, suits Mingo’s skill set. If he can build chemistry with Prescott and capitalize on single coverage (thanks to Lamb and Pickens drawing attention), Mingo could carve out a niche.
However, Mingo’s roster spot isn’t guaranteed. With 13 receivers on the 90-man roster, including Parris Campbell and Kelvin Harmon, he’s “on the bubble” for a 53-man spot. A lackluster camp could see him relegated to the practice squad or even cut, rendering the trade a bust.
The Jonathan Mingo trade is a high-risk, high-reward gamble for the Dallas Cowboys. On one hand, it’s a forward-thinking move to invest in a young, physically gifted receiver with two years of affordable control. On the other, the timing, cost, and Mingo’s underwhelming production suggest a panic-driven decision that hasn’t yet paid off. With George Pickens now elevating the offense, Mingo’s role is uncertain, but training camp will be his make-or-break moment. Cowboys Nation, do you believe Mingo can rise to the challenge and prove the trade was worth it, or is he destined to be a footnote in Dallas’ offseason missteps?