Cowboys’ Jonathan Mingo going from laughing stock to potential breakout star at camp

Dallas Cowboys training camp is underway in Oxnard, California, and the wide receivers are shining early. There is plenty of excitement for the addition of George Pickens, and CeeDee Lamb is always going to put on a show.

Put the dynamic duo together, and the buzz for the offense is reaching an all-time high.

But while Lamb and Pickens are grabbing everyone’s attention, there is another wide receiver who has been flying under the radar despite putting together an impressive two days.

MORE: Cowboys offense installing 2 new gadget formations, Schottenheimer says

Before last season’s NFL trade deadline, the Cowboys sent a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and a seventh-round pick. Mingo was a 2023 second-round pick, but had been underperforming. And, because it’s the Cowboys, everyone on social media had their jokes.

Cowboys' Jonathan Mingo going from laughing stock to potential breakout star at camp

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo walks to the practice fields during training camp at Wofford College. / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

That could all be changing.

While it has only been two practices in Oxnard, Mingo has been impressing those in attendance. DallasCowboys.com’s Tommy Yarrish noted on Wednesday that the speedy receiver is “probably the best” he has looked since joining the team.

MORE: Cowboys’ KaVontae Turpin familiar with RB success, takes ‘fearless’ approach

“A few good catches and just missed connecting on a deep ball from Joe Milton, but had one of the better days among the receivers.”

With the addition of Pickens, Mingo has the opportunity to move into the WR3 slot and run free with less pressure on his shoulders. Of course, he will need to fight off Jalen Tolbert for the job.

Cowboys' Jonathan Mingo going from laughing stock to potential breakout star at camp

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo makes a catch during training camp at Carolina Panthers Practice Fields. / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Last season, Mingo appeared in just 8 games for the Cowboys, hauling in five catches for 46 yards. Throughout his two years in the league, Mingo has 60 receptions for 585 yards.

If he can continue to develop as he gets more familiar with the Cowboys’ offense, it will be interesting to see what kind of role he can carve out.

MORE: Cowboys’ offseason addition making immediate impact, even teaching Dak Prescott

The Cowboys were interested in Mingo when he was entering the league out of Ole Miss, and they made a big swing in bringing him to Dallas with their fourth-round pick.

It’s clear the team has hope that Mingo can develop into a serviceable playmaker, now it’s time for him to continue shining when given the opportunity.

Cowboys' Jonathan Mingo going from laughing stock to potential breakout star at camp

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo walks off the field after the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI

Best highlights from Dallas Cowboys 2025 training camp Day 2

Jake Ferguson steals show at Cowboys’ second training camp practice

Jerry Jones upset Micah Parsons’ agent, a professional negotiator, got involved in contract talks

CeeDee Lamb sends NFL warning about healthy Dak Prescott, Cowboys offense

PHOTOS:Maddy Unger, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader rookie

Related Posts

🔥 BREAKING: TIME UPDATE CONFIRMED: Colts vs. 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium just shifted, and the new kickoff window is already being talked about like a chess move, not a routine schedule tweak. Fans are connecting dots around preparation rhythms and late game legs, because this timing can quietly change who controls the pace. INSIDE: one overlooked edge is emerging.

The countdown is no longer speculation. The NFL has officially confirmed the kickoff time for the highly anticipated matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco…

🔥 BREAKING: TIME UPDATE CONFIRMED: Cowboys vs. Chargers at AT&T Stadium just shifted, and the new kickoff window is already being framed as a hidden lever in how this game will feel and unfold. Fans are reading between the lines, because this timing change affects more than travel and tailgate. INSIDE: one quiet advantage is starting to tilt expectations.

The schedule is locked, the clock is officially set, and one of the most attention drawing matchups of the NFL season is now fully defined. When the…

🔥 BREAKING: TIME UPDATE CONFIRMED: Titans vs. Chiefs at Nissan Stadium just shifted, and the new kickoff window is quietly rewriting how this matchup is being read across the league. One subtle scheduling change is already sparking talk about preparation, crowd rhythm, and a late game edge that does not show up on any stat sheet. INSIDE: the timing twist is creating a storyline nobody expected.

The countdown has officially begun, and the timing could not be more compelling. With the kickoff time now confirmed, the upcoming clash between the Tennessee Titans and…

🔥 BREAKING: TIME UPDATE CONFIRMED: Bears vs. Packers at Soldier Field just moved, and the new slot is already stirring a very specific kind of tension around this rivalry. Fans are calling it a “perfect storm” timing change, and the whispers about who benefits most are getting louder by the hour. INSIDE: one hidden advantage is quietly shifting expectations.

The clock is finally set, and with it comes a familiar tension that never fades. When the Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field,…

🚨 INSIDE NFL EMOTIONAL REACTION: Travis Kelce finally broke his silence on the Chiefs’ brutal season and Patrick Mahomes’ devastating injury, offering a raw reaction that revealed frustration, loyalty, and concern far deeper than fans expected. What he shared goes beyond one loss or one setback, hinting at a defining moment for this core and leaving many wondering how this chapter will reshape Kansas City’s future.

Find out what he said.

🚨 DEPTH CHART ALERT: The return of the Cowboys’ 2024 breakout star is quietly changing everything behind the scenes. Coaches are now facing uncomfortable decisions, and Trevon Diggs may no longer be as untouchable as before. What once looked like a strength could soon become a brutal internal battle.

There’s a real chance that Trevon Diggs never plays for the Dallas Cowboys again, especially with a 2024 breakout star returning.