Cowboys' Top 5 PFF Grades Include Roster-Saving Performance From Jonathan Mingo

In Week 2 of the NFL preseason, the Dallas Cowboys pulled off an impressive 34-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

There was no shortage of standouts in this one, with multiple Cowboys doing themselves a favor as they fight for a roster spot. One player who may have saved his spot with his play on Saturday night was wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, who entered this year on the bubble.

Throughout the offseason, Mingo has been a star and that has been the case in the preseason as well. In Week 1, he had 20 yards on two receptions, which was a solid start. This weekend, he was even better with two receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. That score was a 53-yard dime from Joe Milton III and was the first time Mingo scored in the NFL, regular or preseason.

Jonathan Mingo cracks Cowboys top five graded players from Week 2

Mingo's play wasn't just impressive in the stat sheet either. According to Pro Football Focus, he was one of the best players on the team, with Mingo earning a grade of 84.4. That placed him firmly in the middle of the top-five graded Cowboys in Week 2 of the preseason.

1. Jaishawn Barham: 89.9
2. Ajani Cornelius: 86.7
3. Jonathan Mingo: 84.4
4. Sam Williams: 84.3
5. Phil Mafah: 83.4

Dallas also has undrafted rookie Camden Brown proving himself worthy of a spot. Initially, the two were fighting for the WR5 position, but at this point, the Cowboys might decide to keep six. For Mingo, that would be huge as he's still out to prove Jerry Jones made the right call trading for him at the deadline in 2024.

Rookie Jaishawn Barham stole the show on defense

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaishawn Barham goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As impressive as it was to see Mingo play well on offense, no one stood out more than Jaishawn Barham. The rookie linebacker wore the green dot on Saturday and was all over the field. Barham recorded five tackles, one for a loss, and seeing him as the top-graded player is unsurprising, to say the least.

He was joined in the top five by Sam Williams, who is on the bubble, and recorded one sack. Williams might still be in danger, but this weekend helped his cause.

On offense, Mingo was joined by backup offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius, who could be in line for a spot as a backup tackle following his stellar preseason. Phil Mafah also did well, recording a late touchdown, although he's still behind Malik Davis and Jaydon Blue.

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