When the Dallas Cowboys looked at their roster midway through the 2024 season, they decided they needed to add something to the offense. Looking to a prospect they liked in the 2023 draft process, the Cowboys turned their attention to the Carolina Panthers and receiver Jonathan Mingo.
Mingo, 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, was the type of big-framed receiver they liked. Capable of playing the outside and freeing up space for Ceedee Lamb underneath, Mingo fit Dallas’ biggest needs: an X receiver. Facing a year where Dak Prescott was likely headed to the IR, it was a move more about the future than the present. It’s safe to say as a former No. 39 overall draft pick, expectations were high in Dallas.
Sadly, Mingo has struggled to live up to his lofty draft expectations. Posting just six receptions for 71 yards in his season-and-a-half in Dallas, Mingo is now on his last breath with the Cowboys. 2026 marks his fourth NFL season and a true make-or-break campaign for the 25-year-old pass catcher. After agreeing to an $820,000 pay cut prior to the season, it’s a reality he probably knows all too well.
In all, the Cowboys have invested $2,131,433 in Mingo, according to Over the Cap numbers. Combined with the draft pick compensation of the No. 114 pick in 2025 — which turned out to be Trevor Etienne — Dallas has invested quite a bit in the Mingo Project. In the investment world, these are called sunk costs. The capital has been spent and allowing it to influence future decisions is ill-advised and must be avoided.
With the costs sunk, it’s up to Mingo to rise up. That’s the only thing that can get his career on track and the best way for him to see an NFL future. The trick is, on the 2026 Cowboys, it will have to happen in a supportive role. No longer do the Cowboys need a starting player who can take pressure off Lamb. George Pickens and Ryan Flournoy serve that role and they can each do it from the outside receiver positions.
What Dallas needs from Mingo now is to be the best down-roster player he can be. Special teams must be the priority and versatility among the various receiver spots must come second. Being a starting X is no longer the goal.
The goal posts have been moved, costs have been sunk and expectations have changed. With no guaranteed money on the books, it’s up to Mingo to win a receiver job with his play in a supportive role.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Can Cowboys recoup value from draft pick, millions invested on this WR?
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire | USA TODAY Network
