Jonathan Mingo Off to Strong Start

What They're Saying

SI.com Panthers writer Matt Alquiza: "The biggest star of training camp? Second-year wideout Jonathan Mingo. It's not by accident. Him and Bryce Young have put in the work to improve and it's showing early on."

More from Alquiza: "The drumbeat of folks praising Mingo's improvement has been thumping loudly since the opening of camp."

The Athletic's Joseph Person: "The second-year wideout barely resembles the guy who looked unsure in his routes and in general during an underwhelming rookie season. Mingo is running crisp patterns, getting open and grabbing everyone’s attention, most notably Bryce Young’s."

Young: "You can see him playing more freely. Even though it’s a new system, he understands the system. He’s running routes really free. Doing a great job on and off coverage, having a plan with stuff. He’s made some really big-time catches."

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

We'll see.

Mingo spent nearly all of his rookie season as a full-timer in a needy offense but performed poorly. His rookie-year profile vs. historical comparisons indicated a player with little-to-no bounce-back potential.

But there's still opportunity in Carolina.

Last year's lead WR, Adam Thielen, is 34 and lost his grip on the receiving lead after HC Frank Reich got fired two-thirds of the way through 2023. Carolina traded for WR Diontae Johnson, and new HC Dave Canales has talked about him like the new lead WR.

But there's room for Mingo to compete for the No. 2 slot -- especially with first-round rookie Xavier Legette a late bloomer in college and already showing he needs development time.

We'll see how the preseason treats Mingo, but he might be an early-season waiver guy to watch in deeper leagues.

Dynasty Impact

Mingo still needs to prove he can post worthwhile fantasy numbers, in an offense that also has plenty to prove. But you might as well hold the second-year WR where you have him in dynasty -- unless you find some league mate who was a fan of the prospect and is buying the camp buzz.

Other Winners & Losers

Thielen would have been better off if Mingo continued to struggle. The Panthers would probably prefer that the younger wideout pass the 34-year-old on the depth chart -- if Mingo proves ready.

Legette's playing time would likely suffer -- especially early this year -- if Mingo continues to garner attention. The Panthers figure to be best off bringing the rookie along slowly, if they can.

Rankings Movement

Mingo opened draft season fourth among Panthers in our WR rankings and hasn't moved yet. But if he could swap spots with Legette and/or Thielen if we get word that Mingo is set for a top-2 role.