The Cowboys were buyers ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. trade deadline, but their decision to fork over prime draft compensation for "raw" NFL talent has perplexed several unnamed execs.
When discussing Dallas' decision to acquire second-year Panthers receiver Jonathan Mingo and a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fourth-rounder, NFL Network's Jane Slater reported on X that one GM deemed the comp "too much."
"I asked a GM of another team his thoughts on the Cowboys trade for Jonathan Mingo. The thoughts were something 'Talented. A little raw. Comp is too much...like way too much. Basically a net 5th. Probably is most like Tolbert of the guys there.' The GM goes on to say 'Just my opinion. Not a bad player but to include a 4th is rich,'" Slater shared Tuesday morning.
A talent evaluator also expressed their thoughts to Slater in the form of a vomiting emoji face, with the personnel adding, "That should've been a 6 for 7 pick swap."
Mingo, a 2023 second-round pick out of Ole Miss, has 12 receptions for 121 yards and zero touchdowns through nine games this year.
Though one GM acknowledged Mingo's "skill set," there is still much development to do.
"He's in yr two of his rookie deal. Has a skill set but raw, hasn't produced in the league yet," the anonymous GM said to Slater.
NFL execs aren't the only ones shaking their heads at Dallas' decision-making.
"The Dallas Cowboys gave up more to get Jonathan Mingo than the Kansas City Chiefs did to get DeAndre Hopkins. Lord have mercy," former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III posted Tuesday on X, referencing Kansas City sending a conditional 2025 fifth-rounder to Tennessee last month in exchange for the star receiver.
"Cowboys really gave up 4th round pick for a receiver in Jonathan Mingo who has caught one pass since October 13th!?! What the hell are they doing!?!" Kevin Gray Jr. of DLLS Sports posted.
The move for Mingo, 23, is centered on the present and the future, with a Cowboys source telling Slater "they liked him coming out of college and he has the tools to be a productive NFL WR."
The Cowboys are looking to salvage what's left of their season following three straight losses, including Sunday's 27-21 loss to the Falcons.
Dallas (3-5) will also be without starting quarterback Dak Prescott for the foreseeable future due to a hamstring injury, with owner Jerry Jones revealing Tuesday he's "likely" headed to injured reserve.
Cooper Rush will assume the starting role with Trey Lance, a former first-round pick, as his backup, ESPN reported.