It’s rare for an NFL team to come out on top in a trade they weren’t even part of. But somehow, that’s exactly what happened to the Baltimore Ravens this morning, thanks to the Dallas Cowboys trading for Panthers receiver Jonathan Mingo.
Baltimore is no stranger to dealing with the Panthers. In a recent blockbuster, the Ravens acquired receiver Diontae Johnson for just a fifth-round pick, a savvy move by GM Eric DeCosta that brought Johnson and a sixth-round pick back to Baltimore.
The catch? The difference in draft position is minimal. The Ravens might only slide back about 15 spots on Day 3. Pure wizardry.
Carolina Panthers fleece Dallas Cowboys with Jonathan Mingo trade
The Cowboys are sending a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Panthers for Mingo and a 2025 seventh. That is outrageous. Carolina's GM Dan Morgan should be arrested for stealing. That is highway robbery at its finest.
Panthers to trade WR Jonathan Mingo & 2025 7th-round draft pick to Cowboys for 2025 4th-round pick. (via @TomPelissero, @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/UhvKXIfEo3
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
Mingo is only 23 years old and in his second season in the league. In a season and a half of production, Mingo has accumulated 55 catches for 539 yards and no touchdowns. That's right. Everyone reading this article, including myself, is tied with Mingo on the NFL's all-time touchdown reception list.
For reference, Diontae Johnson has 421 career receptions for 4,720 yards and 28 touchdown receptions. Through his first two seasons, Johnson had 147 receptions for 1,603 yards and 12 touchdowns. That's quite the contrast.
It’s a hard sell for Cowboys fans and the organization alike. Mingo has yet to show he can run routes effectively, let alone become a difference-maker. Dallas had other options that likely would’ve come cheaper, including another Panthers receiver, Adam Thielen, who arguably would’ve been a better fit for their current roster.
This is a colossal misstep by Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones - a needless sacrifice of the team’s future with no clear benefit. Especially in a year when they’re not even contenders.
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys organization reportedly liked Mingo coming out of college. Well, the heart wants what the heart wants and it's this type of emotional attachment that will get you got every time. Maybe Morgan realized just how rough a return he got from the Ravens and felt the need to pull off a win of his own after Eric DeCosta schooled him in the Johnson trade.
One way or another, the Ravens landed a better receiver for a fraction of the price the Cowboys paid. That’s a huge win.