In a move that has perplexed fans and pundits alike, the Dallas Cowboys acquired wide receiver Jonathan Mingo from the Carolina Panthers a few hours ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
It’s not so much that Mingo was brought in but more about what Dallas gave up to get him, as Jerry Jones sent the Panthers a fourth-round pick in next spring’s draft in return.
This, of course, marks the second year in a row that the Cowboys have parted ways with a fourth-rounder, as Jones sent the San Francisco 49ers that same selection a year ago to acquire Trey Lance. But we’re not here to get into that baffling decision.
To make room for Mingo on the 53-man roster, Dallas obviously had to cut someone, and the odd man out has turned out to be cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.
And while that corresponding move makes perfect sense, overall, it’s just yet another bad look for the Cowboys, as they just traded for him less than three months ago.
Cowboys cut Andrew Booth Jr. after trading for Jonathan Mingo
For those who may not recall, Booth, a two-time All-ACC selection at Clemson, was selected in the second round of the 2022 draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
But like far too many players in the Vikings’ 2022 draft class, Booth simply didn’t work out. Due to various injury issues, he appeared in just six games as a rookie, making only one start, and amassed just 12 total tackles. Ironically enough, nine of those came in just one game against none other than the Dallas Cowboys.
He appeared in all 17 games for Minnesota in 2023 but made even less of an impact, making only eight tackles.
As the Cowboys were having their own issues with 2021 third-rounder Nahshon Wright, the two teams agreed to a simple swap on August 9, thus bringing Booth to Big D.
But while Jones seemed to think he was getting a steal, Booth was anything but. In three appearances for America’s Team this season, the Georgia native recorded six total tackles and took more snaps on special teams than he did on defense.
Hey, at least Dallas didn’t give up any draft picks to get him, right? Nevertheless, this is just more proof that Jones, who actually has made some strong deals in the past, has simply lost his touch when it comes to trades. Cowboys fans now just have to hope that the Mingo deal ends up being worth it.
