After much anticipation, the 2025 NFL draft is finally here. This year's action will take place in Green Bay, WI, beginning on Thursday, leaving Dallas Cowboys fans with just over 24 hours to go before discovering what owner/general manager Jerry Jones has planned for the franchise's future.
The wide receiver room is one position that Cowboys fans would love to see addressed this week. CeeDee Lamb is one of the best wideouts in the NFL, while Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks are solid supporting members, however, that doesn't change how Dallas could use another high-upside WR in quarterback Dak Prescott's arsenal.
If the Cowboys do target a rookie wideout this week, that could mean bad things for one of their returning playmaker who's clearly on thin ice before the 2025 draft.
Cowboys WR Jonathan Mingo is on Thin Ice Before the 2025 NFL Draft
If any Cowboys receiver is on thin ice before the draft, look no further than Jonathan Mingo. America's Team acquired the former Ole Miss WR and a 2025 seventh-round pick from the Carolina Panthers before last season's trade deadline, sending a 2025 fifth-rounder back in return.
It was a trade that was supposed to give the Cowboys' offense a boost with WR2 Brandin Cooks sidelined due to injury. Even though it was a notable price to pay, some fans were fine with rolling the dice on Mingo due to his status as a former 2023 second-round pick.
Instead of living up to his draft potential, Mingo did anything but that in Dallas. The 24-year-old wideout only caught five of the 16 passes sent his way (31.3%), converting those opportunities into only 46 receiving yards and two first downs. He drew an abysmal 40.6 passer rating when targeted after the trade, and his 50.6 Pro Football Focus receiving grade was the fifth-worst mark at his position.
Regardless of how it's sliced, Mingo simply hasn't looked like he can be the WR2 that the Cowboys need. It wouldn't be surprising if Dallas wanted to replace him with a more consistent contributor, such as a rookie that first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer can mold as he sees fit.
There are also financial benefits from cutting ties with Mingo. According to Spotrac, the Cowboys can create just over $1.5 million in savings by trading the Stockton, CA native at any point this offseason, making space and money that can be used on a receiver who's a better fit for the offense.
Even if they only get a late-round pick return, trading Mingo for any price is worth it if Schottenheimer, Jones, and the rest of the team don't see the third-year WR as a long-term option.
Look for Mingo's Cowboys future to become clearler after the 2025 NFL draft is done.