When Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper guest-starred during Thursday night’s post-pick press conference, he assured the reporters in attendance that he and his team weren’t “messin’ around.” Well, he ain’t lyin’.
On Friday, with the 39th overall pick of the 2023 draft, the billionaire numbers guy and his brilliant braintrust made an investment in Ole Miss wideout Jonathan Mingo. And, in the grand scheme of it all, it’s an investment in the kid they selected about 25 hours earlier.
Quarterback Bryce Young, along with what was already in place for him, now has an exciting weapon to help him run the point. Mingo has the athleticism, size and skill that should factor into what could be a bright future in Carolina.
Now, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder didn’t light up the box score in college, having amassed just 1,758 yards and 12 scores over four seasons in Oxford. He did, however, light up the numbers at the 2023 NFL Scouting combine—recording a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, a 39.5-inch vertical jump, a 129-inch vertical jump and a 22-rep session on the bench.
So, uh, yeah—he’s a freak . . .
Jonathan Mingo was drafted with pick 39 of round 2 in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.87 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 42 out of 3062 WR from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/7frwOHzS8P pic.twitter.com/Pc3AoiZY65
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 28, 2023
His game, as far as the eye test, is quite refined as well. He displays attentive footwork, soft hands and impressive playing strength—making him a constant threat on any part of the field.
Mingo’s bread and butter comes out of the slot, where free-agent Adam Thielen will likely command most of the early looks. But with Thielen—along with DJ Chark, Damiere Byrd and Terrace Marshall Jr.—in tow, there’s no rush for the 22-year-old rookie to burst on the scene right away.
And if all goes well, and perhaps even extremely well, maybe Mingo can be Young’s version of another explosive, game-breaking, big-bodied Ole Miss receiver he’s been compared to.
