Jerry Jones didn’t sound all that interested in making a trade before Sunday’s game at Atlanta. But then the Dallas Cowboys lost their third consecutive game and fifth of eight this season. It was also determined that franchise quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) is likely heading to the injured reserve, which would cause him to miss at least four games.
Many would argue that the best move would be to sell before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Jones had no interest in that. It’s not his style. So instead of potentially moving a veteran player or two on an expiring contract for an additional draft pick or two, the Cowboys parted ways with a fourth-round pick to acquire a wide receiver they thought a lot of heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Jonathan Mingo with the 39th overall pick. He was the fifth wide receiver selected in that 2023 class. He hasn’t come close to producing like a high second-round pick. In one and a half seasons, Mingo has played in 24 games, catching 55 passes for 539 yards and no touchdowns.
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In Dane Brugler’s 2023 NFL Draft guide, Mingo was ranked the 12th best wide receiver in the class with a third-round grade. To make this move, the Cowboys likely had a second-round grade on him.
“Mingo only has average deception and separation quickness,” Brugler wrote before that draft, “but with his size, pacing and competitive ball skills, he has the body control and upside that has the attention of NFL teams. He has starting potential in the right situation.”
The big body part makes a lot of sense. Mingo is 6-2, 220 pounds. The Cowboys needed a wide receiver like that to pair with All-Pro CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks and KaVontae Turpin. And even if he doesn’t contribute much this season, Mingo is under his rookie deal for two more seasons.
But giving up a fourth-round pick seems awfully rich.
Jones has talked in the past about the best deals happening when the other teams call you. This trade seems like one where the Cowboys made the call, looking to make something happen in a season that is quickly becoming lost.
Jones, however, loves grabbing attention and wide receivers have often been the position he has targeted. From Joey Galloway to Terrell Owens to Roy Williams to Amari Cooper, if Jones is going to make a splash, that’s generally where he looks.
This is obviously not to say Mingo is on the same level as those players. But it’s not difficult to believe Jones would think adding a wide receiver before this trade deadline was a good idea when most probably would have sold in a similar situation.
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“Personally, I’m a long way from being dismayed about our team, about this year,” Jones said Sunday night. “Not dismayed. I’m concerned. We should be concerned. We’ll probably do a couple of things this week of note, if things work out the way we’d like for them to.
“We’re going to do everything we can, at all times, to improve this team. And if in our judgment, if what you have to give up helps improve it, we’ll do it. I know everybody understands, I don’t think I have to say it, but we’ll go for it.”
On Tuesday, the Cowboys traded for Mingo and released veteran DT Jordan Phillips and CB Andrew Booth. None of those transactions moved the needle much outside of The Star. The majority believe Dallas gave up too much. To grade the trade today, it’s probably a C-minus, at best.
But this allows Jones to continue saying he’s “all in” on 2024. Selling at the trade deadline would’ve hurt that storyline. And Jones doesn’t want that to happen, even with the Cowboys being in position to have a top-1o pick in the draft. If the season ended today, Dallas would be drafting 11th.
“We’re gonna have to do something that’s a storybook-type of scenario,” Jones said Tuesday morning on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “I’ve been a part of a couple of those, and it can happen.”
(Photo of Jonathan Mingo: Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
