The Dallas Cowboys weren't entirely quiet at the NFL trade deadline as they got wide receiver Jonathan Mingo in a deal with the Carolina Panthers. 

The move has earned them the label of "buyers" from many analysts and fans but that doesn't really reflect the reality of the trade. But making a move for Mingo wasn't the only key decision from America's Team on Tuesday.

Here are seven takeaways from the Cowboys' activity (and non-activity) at one of the most important dates of the season: 

1. Jonathan Mingo trade isn't about 2024 at all

Although the Cowboys have been criticized for acting as "buyers" at the NFL trade deadline by acquiring Mingo, that is a mischaracterization of the trade. Regardless of whether or not it was a good trade with fair value, the reality is the move isn't about saving the ongoing season but a gamble on potentially getting something out of Mingo in 2025 and 2026.

The Cowboys will have a long, long list of needs next year and if they hit on Mingo, who they liked coming out of college and was a 30 visit during the draft process, they'll be a step ahead in rebuilding the roster.

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2. Compensation for Mingo is the questionable aspect of the move

With all of the above being said, it's true that giving up a fourth rounder for Mingo is a bit too rich. One of the biggest things that determines trade value in the NFL is future cash flows, so the raised price tag probably had more to do with Mingo being on a rookie deal through 2026 than a reflection of who he is as a player. 

So Carolina traded their Wr 1 to Baltimore, swapping a 5 and 6.

Then Carolina traded their wr 5 to Dallas, swapping a 4 and a 7

This is nonsense https://t.co/QkWlt3pFxn

— Voch Lombardi (@VochLombardi) November 5, 2024

But when players such as Diontae Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins are going for less in the trade market, one can't help but wonder if Dallas got fleeced on the deal. Ultimately, I believe they gave up a lot on this deal while getting back a seventh-rounder, which is the most questionable aspect of the deal. However, the financials help explain why it was so pricey in the first place. 

3. Cowboys refuse to embrace possibility of being a "seller"

Even at 3-5 and Prescott out for multiple weeks, the Cowboys refused to be sellers at the trade deadline. In 2025, Dallas will be a team with plenty of roster needs so acquiring draft picks could've gone a long way into kicking off a legit rebuilding process.

To be fair, there aren't a lot of players on the team that would've landed the team large compensations but we'll see if being passive in this aspect will come back to bite them. 

4. Cowboys have even more pressure to pay DT Osa Odighizuwa in 2025 

The biggest name that could've been a trade candidate is Osa Odighizuwa. He's the only consistently productive interior defensive lineman in Dallas, which might've led many to assume he was non-tradeable. However, the DT market has skyrocketed in recent years and re-signing Osa won't be easy for the Cowboys front office. 

Now that they're not getting any compensation from dealing him away, there's more pressure on Dallas to get him re-signed next offseason as it would really hurt to lose a good player like him for nothing in return. The Micah Parsons deal will dominate headlines next year but Odighizuwa is a big name to keep an eye on. 

5. Cowboys shouldn't mistake Mingo trade for what it really is

Compensation aside, I'm not against the Cowboys acquiring a 23-year old player with traits to develop despite low numbers in a bad situation at Carolina. However, the Cowboys shouldn't perceive the Mingo trade as a reason to ignore the top wide receivers from next year's draft class.

Dallas has a strong possibility of winding up with a Top 10 draft pick and names such as Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Luther Burden (Missouri), Isaiah Bond (Texas), and Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) will all be worthy of consideration. Getting Mingo shouldn't change that going into 2025. 

6. No fourth rounder in 2025 NFL Draft could prove costly once more

The Cowboys gave away a fourth rounder for Trey Lance only for him to be a consistent healthy scratch behind Prescott and Cooper Rush. That draft pick ended up being costly for Dallas, who couldn't get a running back in this year's draft. The fourth round would've been a prime spot to get one. 

Now, the Cowboys don't have one and although they're expected to land multiple comp picks in next year's draft, if Mingo doesn't pan out, it'll be another questionable fourth rounder trade for Dallas. 

7. Cowboys might be getting CB help soon

In a corresponding move to make room for Mingo, the Cowboys waived cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. Simply from a numbers' perspective, that could be mean DaRon Bland's return to the field is much closer, as Amani Oruwariye is also off the 53-man roster after being placed on IR last week. 

Another possibility is Israel Mukuamu receiving a full-on cornerback role and being the backup to Trevon Diggs, Caelen Carson, and Jourdan Lewis. 

Cowboys’ best player from Sunday’s loss is leaving the coaching staff no choice but to change course from original plan

It’s his job.