Panthers select Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo with 39th overall pick in NFL Draft
The Panthers have found a big target for Bryce Young in the passing game.
Carolina selected Ole Miss wideout Jonathan Mingo with the 39th overall pick during Friday’s second round of the NFL Draft. Mingo‘s arrival comes roughly 24 hours after the Panthers picked Young with the first overall pick on Thursday.
Mingo — listed as 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds — is coming off a four-year career with Mississippi. The Brandon, Mississippi, native produced 112 catches for 1,758 and 12 touchdowns during his college career.
In February, Mingo ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. He also produced 22 reps on the bench press.
Mingo is a size-speed mismatch at the wideout position.
He was used all over the field — including frequent looks in the slot — at the collegiate level, and Panthers head coach Frank Reich could try to use him in a similarly creative way in the NFL. Mingo, at worst, should be a red-zone weapon during his rookie season in Carolina.
Mingo is unlike anyone else on the Panthers’ wideout depth chart, and he could have a long-term projection as an “X” receiver under Reich. He has been compared to former Pro Bowl wideout Anquan Boldin, who was a trusty receiver over the middle during his career.
Like Boldin, Mingo is a bulky pass-catcher who can leverage his size against cornerbacks. He can also take advantage of his speed against safeties and linebackers in the slot.
Mingo will join Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Terrace Marshall Jr. and Laviska Shenault — among others — on the wide receiver depth chart. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will look to utilize the second-round pick as a big-bodied target on offense.
Panthers picks
First round (1st overall): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Second round (39th overall): Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
Remaining selections
Third round (93rd overall, via SF)
Fourth round (114th overall)
Fourth round (132nd overall, via SF)
Fifth round (145th overall)
This story was originally published April 28, 2023 at 7:52 PM.
