Could Former Rebels WR Jonathan Mingo Become Panthers New Top Target In Year 1?
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The Magnolia State calls college programs home, not professional ones. Sure, a minor league baseball team or two resides across the Mississippi heartland, but fans of Ole Miss and Mississippi State often follow players' careers long after they leave Oxford and Starkville.
A vast majority of Rebels nation has become infatuated with the Carolina Panthers over the previous two drafts cycles thanks to a pair of additions. Matt Corral, who led Ole Miss to its first 10-win regular season in 2021, was drafted in the third round in 2022. Last April, Jonathan Mingo came off the board at pick No. 39 as the next big-bodied target in the Queen City.
Of the two, Mingo likely has the better chance to see immediate action since Carolina used the No. 1 pick on former Alabama quarterback and Heisman winner Bryce Young. The question now turns to how quickly the 6-2 pass-catcher can crack the starting lineup.
Mingo, who finished with career-highs in receptions (51), receiving yards (861) and touchdowns (8) last fall, was selected to be a mainstay in Frank Reich's offense. Ideally, Carolina would love for the two rookies to build a rapport in training camp that should translate over the regular season.
It's best to assume that Mingo is fighting for the No. 3 role in the Panthers' 11 personnel looks (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) with third-year receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. Carolina traded top target DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears this offseason along with several future picks to nab the No. 1 selection. In return, the NFC South franchise inked deals with veterans Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark.
Thielen, 33, was a mainstay in the slot for the Minnesota Vikings prior to his offseason release. He's the seasoned vet that shouldn't leave the field often, even if Reich elects to move him to the outside when the team chooses to run more of a two-tight-end look.
Chark, who signed a one-year, $5 million deal, wants to get paid and is willing to take another prove-it deal. Injuries have derailed his career after a breakout season in 2019. Still, his vertical presence (14.4 yards per catch) has been evident when healthy during stays in both Jacksonville and Detriot, so expect him to serve as the primary "Z" receiver.
Marshall was drafted out of LSU by the previous regime to be the future "X" target in Matt Rhule's offense. Rhule was fired after a 1-4 start, but surprisingly, Marshall's best string of games came after Steve Wilks was promoted to interim coach.
In the final 11 weeks of the regular season, Marshall flashed his upside as a consistent No. 2 weapon, totaling 24 first downs off 28 receptions for 490 yards and a touchdown. He also averaged 17.5 yards per catch and finished with five 50-plus yard performances.
Mingo's draft selection makes him a premium asset to the franchise's future, but he could take time to flourish into an offensive mainstay. Marshall's growth late last season gives him experience and warrants a second chance. However, Reich and offensive coordinator Thomas Brown have spoken positively of Mingo's potential physical play style that could be a factor in the red zone.
In a sense, Mingo still is a projection-type player. Despite displaying a combination of size and speed that could be a mismatch at the next level, consistency hampered Mingo's production. And while similar negatives surround Marshall and Chark, both have ample reps in the pros that could give them a slight advantage entering OTAs and summer workouts.
The hope is Mingo will flourish into a mainstay for the Panthers under the current staff, but transitioning from the college game takes time. Expect Mingo to have a role in a four-man receiver room early in his career, but reps could be seldom to begin his tenure.
Once established, if there's a connection between Young and the former Rebel, reps should double no later than midseason.
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