Development of Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo can make or break his role with team past 2024

The Carolina Panthers had an odd 2023 NFL Draft, to say the least. The team traded up from the ninth spot to first overall with the Chicago Bears to select Bryce Young. A part of that deal was sending star wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Bears and creating a clear void at the receiver position. 

With the 39th pick in that draft, they opted to select Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo. He enamored plenty of analysts and fans with his NFL-ready size/frame standing at 6-foot-2, 220-pound and running mid-4.4s in the 40-yard dash was enough to do it. Mingo was not a proven or polished prospect coming into the draft. 

That said, the Panthers felt he could step into Moore's shoes and fill them admirably. That was a mistake. Mingo finished his rookie campaign with 43 receptions for 418 yards, placing him tenth among the rest of the 2023 rookie receiver class. He averaged a pedestrian 27.9 receiving yards per game. That is not going to cut it for a high second-round pick. 

Jonathan Mingo has to do more in 2024

One of Mingo's biggest strengths as a prospect was his ball skills in contested catch situations. Paired with his power and body control, expectedly this is where he would thrive as a rookie. That did not happen. Mingo had 11 contested targets and reeled in four of them. Another aspect of his game that was not capitalized on, was his ability to stretch the defense vertically. 

Mingo was targeted 15 times on passes traveling 20-plus yards downfield again, only four passes were caught. Partly due to Young's inconsistent deep ball touch and placement. Mingo was used in the short game, on underneath routes. 50% of his routes were run under 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. On these targets, he caught 31 passes for 233 yards receiving, averaging 7.5 yards per reception.

Nonetheless, in 2024 those deep passing plays must be made to back defenses off the line of scrimmage. Speaking of backing up the defense, the Panthers' offense saw a decent amount of man-to-man coverage to challenge their receivers to make plays with little room to work. This is where Mingo must improve the most. Per Sports Info Solutions, he ran 146 routes versus man coverage equating to seven receptions on 11 targets for 103 yards and a big fat zero for touchdowns. The Panthers need more from Mingo.

Mingo should be moved around more in 2024

Per Pro Football Focus, Mingo saw 34% of his snaps in the slot with 66% on the outside. Alignment versatility was an appealing aspect of his game coming out of college. In 2024, head coach Dave Canales should scheme him open more than Frank Reich attempted to. Using Mingo at times more as a "power slot" can create unique and beneficial mismatches for Young to identify and exploit. Static or stationary alignments tip the defense off, most times. 

Predicting the future

Mingo is a talented receiver with a nice blend of size, strength, and speed. I predict a bigger and better season for him. I believe in what Canales has done in the league from his last two coaching stops in Seattle and Tampa. Putting Mingo in more advantageous situations for his sake and Young's will create more production. If this does not improve, I expect things to trend in Terrace Marshall Jr. territory. Marshall Jr. was viewed highly, similar to Mingo. Once he did not produce or meet expectations, the team sought out younger talent for the position. Especially with expectations of them adding more receiver talent in this draft class.

Furthermore, the Panthers will have a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and that wide receiver class is expected to be loaded with talent. Don't give them a reason to replace you, Mingo.