BREAKING: Cowboys Slammed as Losers in Jonathan Mingo Trade After Panthers Draft Star Running Back

The Dallas Cowboys are facing intense scrutiny following the 2025 NFL Draft, with analysts and fans declaring the team was “officially fleeced” in their 2024 trade for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo. The Carolina Panthers, who acquired the Cowboys’ fourth-round pick (No. 114 overall) in the deal, used it to select Georgia running back Trevor Etienne, a dynamic playmaker widely regarded as a steal. The move has sparked widespread criticism of Dallas’ front office, particularly owner and general manager Jerry Jones, as the trade’s fallout highlights missed opportunities and exacerbates the Cowboys’ ongoing roster challenges.

The Trade That Keeps Haunting Dallas

On November 5, 2024, the Cowboys traded their 2025 fourth-round pick to the Panthers in exchange for Mingo, a 2023 second-round pick (No. 39 overall), and a 2025 seventh-round pick (No. 247 overall). At the time, Jones touted Mingo as a high-upside receiver the Cowboys had coveted in the 2023 draft, citing his 4.46-second 40-yard dash, 6-foot-2 frame, and 220-pound build. The trade was seen as a bet on Mingo’s potential to bolster a receiving corps led by CeeDee Lamb, especially with quarterback Dak Prescott sidelined by a hamstring injury and the team struggling at 3-5.

However, Mingo’s tenure in Dallas has been a disappointment. In eight games with the Cowboys in 2024, he recorded just five receptions for 46 yards on 16 targets, failing to score a touchdown or establish chemistry with backup quarterbacks. His lack of production mirrored his struggles in Carolina, where he caught 55 passes for 539 yards and zero touchdowns in 24 games, falling behind undrafted rookie Jalen Coker on the depth chart. Posts on X have been brutal, with one user stating, “Mingo has zero career touchdowns, and they traded a 4th for him. 🤯”

Panthers Strike Gold with Trevor Etienne

The Panthers, under general manager Dan Morgan, capitalized on the Cowboys’ fourth-round pick by selecting Trevor Etienne, a versatile running back from Georgia, on April 26, 2025. Etienne, the younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis Etienne, was projected by some analysts as a third-round talent due to his elite speed (4.41-second 40-yard dash), pass-catching ability, and return skills. In his final college season, Etienne rushed for 782 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 32 receptions for 276 yards, showcasing his dual-threat potential.

Carolina’s selection of Etienne addresses a critical need in their backfield, especially with Jonathon Brooks recovering from a second consecutive ACL tear. Paired with Chuba Hubbard and free-agent signing Rico Dowdle (a former Cowboy), Etienne adds explosive depth and could emerge as a starter. Analysts have hailed the pick as a coup, with Cat Crave calling it “a high-value selection with rotational or better upside immediately.” The Athletic noted that Etienne’s selection “shakes up the dynamic considerably” for Carolina’s offense, signaling a potential shift away from relying on Brooks.

Why the Trade Looks Like a Fiasco for Dallas

The Cowboys’ decision to trade for Mingo has been criticized for several reasons, amplified by the Panthers’ savvy use of the acquired pick:

• Missed Opportunity at Running Back: Dallas desperately needs a reliable running back, having relied on a committee of Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle in 2024, neither of whom topped 700 rushing yards. The 2025 draft saw an early run on running backs in the fourth round, with Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten, Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, and Etienne all selected before Dallas’ next pick at No. 149 in the fifth round. The loss of the fourth-round pick, now Etienne, stings as the Cowboys failed to address a glaring roster hole.
• Mingo’s Underwhelming Performance: Mingo’s lack of impact in Dallas has fueled perceptions that the trade was a misstep. His 50.6% catch rate as a rookie and inability to score in 32 NFL games raise doubts about his fit opposite Lamb. Blogging The Boys called the trade “confusing at best,” noting that Mingo’s five catches in Dallas were “an afterthought” for a team with a “lost season.”
• Historical Value of Fourth-Round Picks: The Cowboys have a strong track record with fourth-round selections, drafting stars like Dak Prescott, Jake Ferguson, Dalton Schultz, and Tyler Biadasz since 2016. Trading such a valuable asset for Mingo, who was on the verge of being cut by Carolina, has been labeled “laughable” by analysts like Warren Sharp on X.
• Panthers’ Draft Capital Win: Carolina’s return for Mingo—a fourth-round pick that became Etienne—has been praised as a masterstroke by Morgan. The Panthers now boast nine picks in the 2025 draft, including eight in the first five rounds, positioning them to rebuild effectively. In contrast, Dallas’ lack of a fourth-rounder limits their ability to address needs at running back, offensive line, or defense.

Fan and Analyst Backlash

The fallout from the trade has been merciless on X, where Cowboys fans have vented their frustration. One user wrote, “People need to understand how bad this Mingo trade was. He was going to be cut, terrible trade, now no 4th.” Another questioned Jones’ judgment, asking, “Does Mingo still look like a second-round value to Jerry? There’s a reason the Panthers traded him.” The sentiment on platforms like X reflects a broader narrative of disappointment with Dallas’ front office, with fans lamenting the missed chance to draft a player like Etienne.

Analysts have been equally harsh. The Landry Hat declared the Cowboys “officially fleeced,” arguing that Etienne’s selection “aged the Mingo trade like milk.” Pro Football Network called it “hard to justify,” noting Mingo’s inability to earn snaps in Carolina’s struggling offense as a red flag. Even Cowboys beat writer Saad Yousuf of The Athletic tempered expectations, stating that the trade’s value hinges on Mingo developing long-term, a prospect that seems uncertain given his early struggles.

A Glimmer of Hope for Mingo?

Despite the criticism, some in Dallas remain optimistic about Mingo’s future. Jones, speaking on April 25, 2025, defended the trade, saying, “Mingo was a [second-round] pick in the draft. We had him rated second in the draft two years ago. We think we’ve done a pretty good job of picking Mingo.” Head coach Mike McCarthy echoed this, citing Mingo’s pre-draft grade and physical traits like his 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-9 broad jump as reasons for excitement.

The Cowboys hope Mingo can thrive in 2025 with a healthy Prescott, who was absent during Mingo’s 2024 stint due to injury. A full offseason with the team and new backup quarterback Joe Milton could help Mingo build chemistry and compete with Jalen Tolbert for the WR2 role. However, as dallascowboys.com noted, Mingo faces pressure to become a “consistently dynamic complement to CeeDee Lamb,” especially if Dallas drafts or signs another receiver.

Long-Term Implications for the Cowboys

The Mingo trade’s failure to yield immediate results has compounded Dallas’ challenges entering the 2025 season. With a 6-11 record in 2024 and no playoff appearance, the Cowboys are in a transitional phase under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and a restructured coaching staff. The loss of their fourth-round pick, combined with the Trey Lance trade that cost them a 2024 fourth-rounder (used by San Francisco to draft safety Malik Mustapha), has depleted Dallas’ mid-round draft capital, critical for building depth.

The running back position remains a glaring weakness. Etienne’s selection by Carolina, alongside their signing of Dowdle and retention of Hubbard, underscores Dallas’ missed opportunity to bolster their backfield. As The Landry Hat pointed out, “The Cowboys still need a running back, and there’s been an early run on the position in the fourth round.” Dallas’ next pick at No. 149 in the fifth round limited their options, forcing them to rely on free agency or later picks to address the position.

Panthers’ Triumph and Cowboys’ Regret

For the Panthers, the Mingo trade is a resounding success. Morgan’s ability to turn a disappointing second-round pick into a fourth-rounder that became Etienne has bolstered Carolina’s rebuild. SI.com noted that the pick “comes as a mild surprise” but praised Etienne’s potential to reshape the backfield, especially with Brooks’ injury concerns. The Panthers’ draft haul, now including high-upside players like wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, positions them for future success.

For Dallas, the trade is a cautionary tale of overpaying for unproven potential. ESPN’s analysis questioned the trade’s logic, noting that Mingo’s lack of production and Dallas’ slim 5.7% playoff odds in 2024 made them better suited as sellers, not buyers, at the deadline. The Cowboys’ faith in Mingo’s 2023 draft grade may yet pay off, but as catscratchreader.com observed, his “uncertain summer” under Dallas’ new staff suggests he’s far from a guaranteed contributor.

What’s Next?

As the Cowboys head into the 2025 offseason, they must address their running back and receiver depth while hoping Mingo can salvage the trade’s value. Their fifth-round pick (No. 149) and remaining selections, including the seventh-rounder from Carolina (No. 247), offer limited opportunities to find a difference-maker. Free agency could provide options, with Blogging The Boys suggesting low-cost receivers who outshine Mingo’s current output.

Meanwhile, Panthers fans are celebrating Etienne’s arrival, with X posts praising Morgan’s “tremendous piece of business.” For Cowboys fans, the trade is a bitter pill, with one X user summing it up: “Mingo trade was a disaster. No RB, no 4th, and he’s barely a WR4.” Unless Mingo transforms into the dynamic No. 2 receiver Dallas envisioned, the 2025 draft will serve as a painful reminder of a gamble gone wrong.

For now, the Cowboys are left licking their wounds, while the Panthers run away with a steal in Trevor Etienne, proving once again that in the NFL, draft picks are currency—and Dallas spent theirs poorly.