The Carolina Panthers already lost wide receiver Diontae Johnson to a trade, and former second-round pick Jonathan Mingo could be the next player to leave. A top-40 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Panthers believed the Mississippi product and first-overall pick Bryce Young could develop in unison and be the future of the Panthers passing attack. That hasn’t happened, as Young has been in and out of the starting lineup while Mingo continues to fall down one of the worst depth charts in football.
With Diontae Johnson in Baltimore and Adam Thielen still working his way back to the field, some believed this would be the time for Jonathan Mingo to break out. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened, as first-round pick Xavier Legette and undrafted free agent Jalen Coker are both seeing more opportunities. A change of scenery could be best for everyone, and Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports that the New England Patriots are looking for talent at the wide receiver position.
I’m told the #Patriots are monitoring the trade market to potentially add talent at WR, DT or T positions on the heels of the rousing 25-22 win of the NY #Jets, per source.
The trade deadline is November 5th, 4pm EST.@BovadaOfficial pic.twitter.com/ASqUyHXDwr
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 29, 2024
Patriots, Panthers Could Agree to Jonathan Mingo Trade
At 2-6, the New England Patriots do not have a shot at the postseason. However, what they do have is a legitimate franchise quarterback in first-round pick Drake Maye. Selected out of UNC, the rookie began his career on the bench before earning the starting job in Week 6. While there have been some growing pains, Maye has given this offense some much-needed life, excelling at pushing the ball downfield and making plays with his legs despite arguably the NFL’s worst supporting cast. A Jonathan Mingo trade won’t fix everything, but rolling the dice on an athletically gifted receiver can’t hurt.
Maye suffered a concussion in Week 8 but is on track to play against the Tennessee Titans. This means the offense will be watchable, but the supporting cast puts a clear cap on this group’s ceiling. 2023 sixth-round picks Demario Douglas and Kayson Boutte are the only ones to show any sort of potential, as veteran Kendrick Bourne is still knocking off the rust from last year’s season-ending injury, Tyquan Thornton continues to disappoint, and second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk is in having a historically bad start to the season. Jonathan Mingo has a chance to break out, and the Patriots could make a trade for the right price.
What Is the Right Price?
It goes without saying that the Panthers will trade Jonathan Mingo at a loss. The wide receiver’s value has plummeted over the past two seasons, and nobody will give up a second-round pick for his services. Recording just 12 catches for 121 yards through eight games in 2024, the Panthers might have to settle for a conditional late-round pick. Alternatively, the Patriots and Panthers could execute a rare player-for-player trade.
Second-round pick Tyquan Thornton has not played up to his potential in New England. Blessed with elite deep speed, the wide receiver had a strong training camp but couldn’t translate those results to the regular season. Recording just four receptions for 47 yards, perhaps the Patriots could trade Tyquan Thornton to the Panthers for Jonathan Mingo. This way, both second-round busts will have the opportunity to thrive in a new environment.
Main Photo: Daniel Bartel – USA Today Sports
