Often forgotten 2023 second-round pick is eager to prove he still belongs on the Carolina Panthers roster
Carolina Panthers 2023 second-round pick Jonathan Mingo is eager to prove he still belongs in a reshaped wide receiver room.
It isn't easy to stomach failing to live up to expectations.
Yet Jonathan Mingo, the Carolina Panthers' 2023 second-round pick out of the University of Mississippi, has had to deal with the outside noise all summer. He knows his rookie season production wasn't up to par. And he is betting on himself to shine brighter despite the additions of Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette.
"Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always bet on myself," Mingo said to Joseph Person of The Athletic. "I always believed in myself going against the odds, even when people were sleeping on you. You’re just like a gambler. Sometimes you might lose, but you’re gonna win."
In the Panthers' 2-15 2023 season, Mingo started 14 games, catching 43 passes for 418 yards. He failed to record a single touchdown grab.
The addition of Mingo through the draft was supposed to usher in a long-standing era of Bryce Young connecting with the Ole Miss product. In 2023, Mingo recorded a 50.6 catch percentage. That ranked as the fifth-worst among all receivers.
With Johnson, Adam Thielen, and Legette, it is hard to see where Mingo will fit in during his second season. That isn't how the second-year receiver is observing his role.
He is appreciative of the lessons he has learned from veterans like Thielen. He is also appreciative of new receiver coach Rob Moore, claiming Moore's laidback approach could be beneficial in the 2024 season.
As for Mingo's biggest weakness – his route running – the 23-year-old receiver believes much of that concern is overblown.
"I know I can run routes," Mingo said. "I feel when it comes down to it, I’m a good route runner. I know what I can do when it comes to route running. People might try to say stuff. But when teams come to play us, they watch the film, too. So they can see what routes are coming off (receivers’) splits. People don’t know the game. They’re on the outside looking in. Just like we can see a defense and know what coverage they’re in. I know I can run routes. You’re not going to win all of ’em, but I’m damn sure gonna win the majority of ’em."
Under Dave Canales, a new receiver coach, and the changing scenery, Mingo is ready to change the minds of all who have already written him off after one season.
He wants to prove he is still part of the Panthers' long-term plan.
