The Dallas Cowboys have made a notable trade at the 2024 deadline, securing wide receiver Jonathan Mingo from the Carolina Panthers. Reports indicate that the Cowboys sent a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Panthers in exchange for Mingo and a 2025 seventh-round selection. Mingo has had a struggling season thus far, recording 12 receptions for 121 yards across nine games for the Panthers.
The acquisition of Mingo has generated mixed reactions among Cowboys fans, with some expressing concerns over the price paid for the young receiver. Comparisons have been drawn to a recent trade made by the Kansas City Chiefs, who acquired Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans, reportedly giving up less in the process. The Cowboys' decision to trade a fourth-round pick for Mingo has raised eyebrows, especially considering the current state of the team and quarterback Dak Prescott's likely trip to the injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.
Mingo, selected by the Panthers in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has yet to score a touchdown in his professional career and has recorded 55 catches for 539 yards over 24 appearances and 19 starts. His statistical performance places him among the lower ranks of wide receivers in the league, further fueling debate about the trade's value. This move follows a controversial pattern for the Cowboys, reminiscent of their trade of Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for less in draft capital. With the Cowboys currently struggling at 3-5 and facing significant injuries, Mingo's acquisition aims to bolster their receiving corps as they prepare for upcoming matchups.
