Jonathan Mingo came into the season with some enthusiasm after putting in another starring performance over training camp. However, the Carolina Panthers got almost nothing from the wide receiver when it mattered.
Mingo once again struggled to make an impact when competitive action arrived. He fell down the pecking order, surpassed by first-round pick Xavier Legette and undrafted free agent Jalen Coker. Even after the Panthers traded Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens, the Ole Miss product remained on the fringes in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints.
The Dallas Cowboys came in with a pretty good offer for Mingo just before the trade deadline. It was something the Panthers couldn't turn down, which brings an end to the No. 39 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft's brief yet unsuccessful time with the franchise.
This was another grave error in judgment by the previous decision-makers. Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have, but here are five wide receivers the Panthers could have drafted over Mingo after his trade to the Cowboys.
Wide receivers Carolina Panthers could have drafted over Jonathan Mingo
Carolina Panthers could have drafted Puka Nacua
If the 2023 NFL Draft happened right now, Puka Nacua would be a first-round pick. He was a diamond in the rough that went overlooked by everybody until the Los Angeles Rams ended his dramatic slide in the fifth round. What followed was a historic rookie campaign that left most around the league scratching their heads in disbelief.
Nacua's dealt with some injury issues throughout the 2024 campaign. He remains a top-level performer when healthy, which stems from slick route-running, physical catching under pressure, and a relentless motor that makes him incredibly difficult to stop.
That's almost the complete opposite of what the Carolina Panthers ended up getting from Jonathan Mingo. He's got everything athletic intangible imaginable but couldn't put it to good use. He'll now get the chance to galvanize his career with the Dallas Cowboys, who are desperate for any sort of inspiration after a dismal opening to the season.
Nobody aside from a select few thought Nacua would be this good. Matching up with head coach Sean McVay springboarded him to superstardom immediately.
Carolina Panthers could have drafted Jayden Reed
If Puka Nacua was someone a little far-fetched scooped from the proverbial wilderness of Day 3, the Carolina Panthers would have been far better off with some more realistic targets taken immediately after Jonathan Mingo. Previous general manager Scott Fitterer's personnel evaluation was supposedly his strength, but he got countless big decisions wrong and eventually paid with his job.
Jayden Reed was taken by the Green Bay Packers in the second round. He showed enormous promise as a rookie and has continued this encouraging trend as an NFL sophomore. His explosiveness, crisp route-running out of his cuts, and ability to stretch the field should ensure a profitable career moving forward. His 100 receptions for 1,413 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns from 17 starts are a testament to his super transition.
Reed looked like a star while Mingo floundered. One could point to the toxic environment he ended up in despite the previous decision-makers proclaiming they were in a position to drop in a quarterback and take off, but the consistency and progress were nowhere near the level anticipated.
The Panthers cut the cord rather than waiting for another Terrace Marshall Jr. situation. Had those in power taken someone like Reed, they wouldn't have had an issue.
Carolina Panthers could have drafted Rashee Rice
Good teams stay that way by drafting the right players. They see the upside and how they'll fit into their respective schemes rather than anything accomplished at the collegiate ranks. That's something the Carolina Panthers failed to accomplish effectively enough when the likes of Matt Rhule and Scott Fitterer called the shots.
To miss so badly on two second-round receivers - Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall Jr. - is astonishing when one considers the number of exceptional playmakers to emerge in recent drafts. He's currently out injured and has dealt with some off-the-field issues, but overlooking Rashee Rice was another prime example.
Rice ended up in the best possible spot to thrive immediately. The Kansas City Chiefs had no problem picking up the imposing wideout, which came with a debut campaign to remember en route to a Super Bowl triumph.
The former SMU standout looked primed for a Pro Bowl campaign before a devastating injury ended his campaign abruptly. Rice is young enough to get back to his old self once medically cleared, so it would be a huge surprise if the player didn't achieve a considerable amount long-term with quarterback Patrick Mahomes to depend upon.
Carolina Panthers could have drafted Tank Dell
One didn't have to look far for Tank Dell supporters among the Carolina Panthers' fanbase during the pre-draft process in 2023. Many of them wanted Scott Fitterer to bring him on board thanks to his unique blend of aggressiveness and ability to generate yards after the catch. Unfortunately, they had different ideas and went with Jonathan Mingo instead.
Everything worked out pretty well for Dell, who ended up with the Houston Texans. He hit the ground running with rookie sensation C.J. Stroud, forming a close bond with the signal-caller to spearhead them to an AFC South title and postseason triumph.
The Panthers were looking for a supposedly more physical presence. But as former wideout Steve Smith Sr. - who was a big fan of Dell during his evaluations - proved on countless occasions throughout his potential Pro Football Hall of Fame career; it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
Those who were clamoring for the Panthers to draft Dell can only shake their heads in collective regret. Thankfully, the team's new group of fledgling pass-catchers comes with far greater promise.
Carolina Panthers could have drafted Josh Downs
If the Panthers had looked a little closer to home for wide receiver assistance during the 2023 NFL Draft, things might have been different. Specifically, bringing Josh Downs into the fold rather than focusing their attention on Jonathan Mingo.
Downs enjoyed a standout college career with the North Carolina Tar Heels. He's continued this trend with the Indianapolis Colts after being taken No. 79 overall. This is even more impressive when one considers the quarterback dysfunction around the organization thanks to No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson's injury problems and poor performances.
The Panthers are working hard to rid the organization of previous errors in judgment. General manager Dan Morgan was part of that front office, but it's evident that the former linebacker wasn't too keen on how things were being approached.
It'll take time and there is a lot of hard work ahead. However, the Panthers are moving with more professionalism and are not afraid to cut their losses on players like Mingo, who was overdrafted and never came close to reaching his billing.
Win some, lose some.