Report reveals reason Dallas Cowboys traded for Panthers WR Jonathan Mingo

The Dallas Cowboys (3-5) made a move ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, acquiring second-year wideout Jonathan Mingo from the Carolina Panthers (2-7).

Dallas acquired Mingo, along with a 2025 seventh round pick, in exchange for a 2025 fourth round pick.

Why Mingo and why now? Well, for starters, the Cowboys were in need of another healthy receiver. And according to Jane Slater of NFL Network, Dallas liked Mingo coming out of Ole Miss, bringing him in for an official top 30 visit. That checks out with team owner Jerry Jones’ comments on 105.3 The Fan just before the trade was announced.

Jones revealed that Dallas would likely trade for a receiver ahead of the trade deadline. Jones said the wideout was somebody they previously considered drafting, and that player is Mingo, who went 39th overall in last year’s NFL Draft. Carolina selected Mingo 19 picks before the Cowboys drafted tight end Luke Schoonmaker.

Cowboys hoping for better production from Jonathan Mingo

The Cowboys believe Mingo has all the tools to be a productive receiver, and he’ll get a fresh start in Dallas after an underwhelming start to his career in Carolina. Mingo hauled in 43 receptions for 418 yards last season. He has just 12 catches for 121 yards nine games into the 2024 campaign. Mingo has yet to record his first career touchdown.

Among the 72 receivers with at least 50 receptions since the start of last season, Mingo is last in yards (539) and catch rate (49.5%) and 71st in yards per route run (0.75), via The 33rd Team. Mingo’s last catch, a one-yard gain, came in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons (6-3).