Jonathan Mingo trade: Adam Schefter reveals details about Cowboys trade for former Panthers WR

The Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys got a deal done on Tuesday ahead of the trade deadline that sent wide receiver Jonathan Mingo to Dallas and a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick. A move that had multiple people in the NFL space scratching their heads after it was reported.

NFL insider Adam Schefter joined The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday and gave some more clarity on the trade. Adding some context and details to a trade that stands out in comparison to other deals that have been made for wide receivers this season.

“Well, in regards to Mingo, this is a guy that the Cowboys really liked coming out of the draft and I think you touched on a key factor,” Schefter said to McAfee. “They liked him in the draft, and he’s got two years left on his rookie deal. So when you have that kind of contractual control, it becomes rather attractive.”

The Panthers selected Mingo with the No. 39 overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. A wideout who has not been able to live up to his draft expectations with 43 receptions for 418 yards last season and 12 catches for 121 yards through nine games this year. Production that does not compare to the trade value of other wideouts who have been on the move this season.

“Because if you look at it, the Cowboys get Mingo and seventh (round pick) from the Panthers for a fourth. But compare and contrast that, the Chiefs got DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans for a conditional fifth. The Ravens got Diontae Johnson and a sixth for a fifth, Amari Cooper and a sixth from the Browns for a third and a seventh, and the Jets got Davante Adams for a conditional third,” Schefter explained.

“So the Cowboys are paying in that range, but I think they did so because number one, they like the player, and number two, he’s on his rookie contract. So you get the deal.”

Dallas will be hoping to get more out of Mingo than the Panthers were able to do during his tenure in Charlotte. Which may be challenging initially, with quarterback Dak Prescott expected to be placed on the injured reserve after suffering from a hamstring injury on Sunday.