Mike McCarthy reacts to Cowboys trade for WR Jonathan Mingo

Dallas found a way to get into the NFL trade deadline action, acquiring wide receiver Jonathan Mingo from the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday. In return, a fourth-round pick will be heading back there while the Cowboys will also receive a seventh-round pick.

Head coach Mike McCarthy was in front of the media for the first time since the trade was made, giving his reaction. Dallas’ interest in Mingo goes back to the draft process when he was coming out of Ole Miss. Despite not having a ton of success in his professional career, McCarthy believes there is still a ton of potential there.

“We believed in our initial grade, we feel like there’s obviously value there,” McCarthy said on Wednesday morning.

Mingo was an early Day 2 selection of Carolina during the 2023 NFL Draft, going No. 39 overall. Four receivers were selected in the first round and Mingo was the first selected in the second round. Dallas used their first-round pick on defensive tackle Mazi Smith and did not pick again until 58th, not being in a position to select the Ole Miss product.

In 24 career games, Mingo has caught 55 passes for 539 yards but does not have a touchdown yet in his career. His rookie season was a little more productive than what has been produced in 2024, as nine games have resulted in just nine 12 receptions and 121 yards. Mingo’s last contribution came Week 6 against Atlanta.

Certainly not the numbers Cowboys fans will want to see but McCarthy has faith in the team’s draft grade on Mingo dating back a couple of years. Having two years of control certainly helps too as he can develop before his rookie contract runs out.