Hours before the NFL trade deadline Tuesday, the slumping Dallas Cowboys sent a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for second-year WR Jonathan Mingo and a 2025 seventh-round pick, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The trade for Mingo underscores Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones’ inability to build a team. His poor management of the organization is reflected by the Cowboys’ current state.
After a loss in Week 9 to Atlanta, Dallas is 3-5 and trails the Washington Commanders (7-2) and Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) in the NFC East. Even with a monumental midseason turnaround, winning the division seems like a long shot for Dallas, which faces Philadelphia at home in Week 10, followed by a game at home against Houston (6-3) and another at Washington.
Mingo, whom the Panthers selected 39th overall in 2023, was listed as a backup on Carolina’s initial 2024 depth chart but climbed the ranks after WR Adam Thielen suffered a hamstring injury in Week 3 and WR Diontae Johnson was traded to the Baltimore Ravens.
Despite earning five starts this season, Mingo has only 12 receptions, 121 receiving yards and no touchdowns.
The trade looks drastically worse when considering Jones, in an appearance on 105.3 The FAN Tuesday morning, suggested QB Dak Prescott would likely be placed on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury suffered in Week 9, forcing him to miss at least four games.
When acquiring a young receiver, it’s crucial that he develops alongside the team’s franchise quarterback to build chemistry. Placing Mingo’s development in the hands of backup QB Cooper Rush for an extended period of time is a recipe for disaster.
Mingo, who had only 418 yards receiving last season, is not a difference-maker. If Jones is preparing to rebuild, why not use that fourth-round pick on a weapon in the 2025 draft? Dallas has a recent history of drafting well in the fourth round.
Cowboys traded away a 4th for WR Jonathan Mingo during a lost season with an injured QB & a likely soon-to-be fired HC
keep in mind, players they’ve drafted in the 4th:
QB Dak Prescott
LB Anthony Hitchens
DL Dorance Armstrong
TEs Jake Ferguson & Dalton Schultznow no 2025 4th https://t.co/EzkJdLM5pC
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 5, 2024
For the Panthers, a fourth-round selection for Mingo is incredible value. Carolina now holds eight picks in the first five rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Dallas, meanwhile, seems adrift in a lost season that could get much worse.
