The Dallas Cowboys are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with their sights firmly set on bolstering the defensive side, and that shift in priority may be exactly the lifeline wide receiver Jonathan Mingo needs to resurrect his NFL career.

It may not be Mingo's zero touchdowns in 38 games keeping him on the roster, but the draft itself. The major focus is that the Cowboys will direct the first-round picks toward pass rushers and linebackers at both No.12 and No.20 picks.

The Cowboys also carry no second-round pick, meaning the team won't be back on the clock until the third round (92nd pick). Add in George Pickens' contract situation, and the franchise may have to play it safe with Mingo.

Most of the wide receiver picks will be off the table by the time the franchise can exercise its 92nd pick, so no new entrant can likely be a threat to Mingo's wide receiver position.

He currently sits among CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, after KaVontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy, and Jalen Tolbert, and the draft's defensive focus is precisely why he gets a fresh hope.

As a speculated WR5 or WR6, his current position depends upon his injury status and performance on the field.

Across 38 career games, Mingo has posted just 61 receptions on 132 targets for 610 receiving yards and zero touchdowns, falling well short of expectations for a No. 39 overall pick out of the Ole Miss Rebels.

Beyond the draft, the 2026 free agency period has further reshuffled the depth chart in his favor.

As he is projected to reach free agency in 2027, it gives the Cowboys a cost-effective reason to hope that he develops under the top WRs rather than invest elsewhere. 

That being said, fans will be hopeful to soon hear about a long-term deal with George Pickens.

Cowboys’ Call on George Pickens

Stephen Jones, the co-owner and Executive Vice President of the Dallas Cowboys, recently downplayed the chances of Pickens getting an offer from another team, stating that no outside teams have shown any interest in the wide receiver.

“You hate to get into things like that, but no, we’ve had no one call with interest in George Pickens,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on April 26.

This aligns with Jerry Jones' statement of "long-term plans for him", which he mentioned at the NFL Owners Meeting earlier this year.

Pickens recorded a career-high season with the Cowboys in 2025. He recorded 93 receptions for 1,429 yards, averaging 15.4 yards per catch and nine touchdowns. 

Since arriving in Dallas last year, Pickens has formed a formidable receiving duo alongside CeeDee Lamb and an outstanding chemistry with Dak Prescott. If things go as planned, the WR department could be in the spotlight again in 2026.
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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote