Jonathan Mingo: The Cowboys’ Defense Mechanism
FRISCO – The Cowboys’ defense mechanism is Jonathan Mingo.
Whenever Cowboys fans and media members mention the void of a fourth-round pick in the draft, which in some cases is a starter or a player with tremendous upside, Mingo’s name is mentioned.
It’s not the wide receiver’s fault, but with the Cowboys missing a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, it’s prompted team owner and general manager Jerry Jones to mention Mingo is that fourth-round pick, with the potential to become a good receiver on this squad.
“So, we think we’ve done a pretty good job of picking Mingo right there as well,” Jones said.
Of course, Jones said this during the draft in April and since, the Cowboys traded for another receiver, this time a legit No. 2 in George Pickens.
Jonathan Mingo’s Background
The entire offseason at The Star has many fixated on what CeeDee Lamb and Pickens look like on the field.
Meanwhile, Mingo is still here, a player the Cowboys had a high second-round grade on when he came out from Ole Miss for the draft in 2023. Carolina selected him in the second round, the 39th pick overall, and in two seasons he has 60 catches for 585 yards with no touchdowns.
Last season, Mingo said his head was spinning.
He was traded on Nov. 5 and instead of playing the two receiver spots he held in Carolina, the Z and the F, was moved mainly to the X. That’s where he currently resides now as the outside receiver entering Year 3 of his NFL life.
Trade and Expectations
Dallas gave up a fourth-round pick, which ended up with Carolina taking running back Trevor Etienne from Georgia, and received Mingo and a seventh-rounder. The Cowboys missing out on drafting a running back in 2023 almost became a story again this spring. Dallas selected Texas running back Jaydon Blue in the fifth round.
Now, the Cowboys have a comfort level in finding a talented receiver via trade (Mingo) in using a draft pick and snagging a needed running back (Blue) in the middle rounds to bring speed to the offense.
Whether Pickens is on the roster or not, it seems expectations are high for Mingo.
“I look at it two ways,” he said. “I don’t necessarily say that I have to live up to the trade. I always lived by something my momma told me, ‘You ain’t trying to please nobody.’ I’m trying to live up to what I know I can be.”
Performance and Team Dynamics
In eight games, Mingo caught five passes for 46 yards for the Cowboys.
Quarterback Dak Prescott noted on Thursday it seemed unfair for Mingo to jump into the offense and find some footing. What this offense potentially has in the passing game with Lamb, Pickens, Mingo and Jalen Tolbert allows the Cowboys to believe they’ll be better in 2025.
“It starts with personnel,” Prescott said. “The changes we made, not just on offense but defense as well. Bringing in people. Obviously with George, really opens up all those other receivers. Some of the guys we were looking for, who’s going to the two, I think it just gives them a little safety net to go earn and just to go play free and go make a huge jump. Guys like Mingo and Tolbert.”
Past Experiences and Future Prospects
It seemed Mingo couldn’t find a flow in Carolina.
He played for two head coaches and one interim, and two different quarterbacks and offensive coordinators in two seasons.
“They going to see this year,” he said. “I got nothing negative to say about Carolina, they’re going to see. I’m in a new slate, been with a quarterback here for a long time, very comfortable, veteran receivers, deep group. I got better coaching. I’m happy to be here, past is the past, all I can do is move forward.”
Breaking down the receiver group starts with Lamb and Pickens along with Tolbert and receiver/returner KaVontae Turpin. Mingo shouldn’t be forgotten. He’s not going anywhere given the draft compensation given up and the potential of what he can become.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
“I’m trying to prove to myself I can be the receiver I know I can be and show everybody that I’m the receiver they traded for,” Mingo said. “I don’t listen to the outside noise and go out there and work. It’s going to pay off. Everybody can say what they want to, but I’m going to work and it’s going to show this year.”
The Cowboys are looking forward to seeing Mingo’s growth and development in the upcoming season, and with the right mindset and work ethic, he has the potential to become a key player in the team’s offense.
FAQs
Q: Who is Jonathan Mingo?
A: Jonathan Mingo is a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.
Q: Where was Mingo drafted?
A: Mingo was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round, 39th overall, in the 2023 NFL draft.
Q: What are the expectations for Mingo in the upcoming season?
A: The expectations for Mingo are high, with the Cowboys believing he can become a good receiver on the squad and make a significant contribution to the team’s offense.
Q: How does Mingo feel about the trade and the expectations?
A: Mingo is focused on proving himself and showing that he is the receiver the Cowboys traded for, and he is not worried about living up to the trade or pleasing others.
