The Grove Report

Is Rebels' Jonathan Mingo The Most Underrated WR In 2023 NFL Draft?

Jonathan Mingo might end up being a sleeper in the pros depending on where he's selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Cole Thompson

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Jonathan Mingo might not be the first receiver selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he might be one of the top rookie playmakers before the season's end. 

Mingo shined for Ole Miss in 2022 as the team's top weapon. He didn't put up record-setting numbers as Jaxson Dart's go-to target in the passing game, but his 51 catches for 861 yards were enough to draw scouts' interest. 

And therein lies the problem. Fans often focus on the here and now over the longevity of a player's career. Mingo's breakout season might have garnered him more interest in recent weeks, but perhaps the only reason he's not a household name is due to his past. 

Mingo only played in six games in 2021 after suffering a foot fracture that required surgery. Prior to that, he never played in more than seven games due to the experience ahead on the depth chart. 

Before his departure in 2021, Mingo was on pace for his first 800-yard campaign. He totaled 22 catches for 346 yards and averaged 15.7 yards per catch. 

Should he have remained healthy, is his name being brought up in Day 1 chatter? How about early Day 2 talks? 

Production is one part of any equation when scouting talent. Traits are another. From the latter, Mingo made up ground for his limited numbers in college. He impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., earlier this year. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Mingo posted a 4.46 40-time and 39.5-inch vertical, both ranking inside the top 20 of all receivers. 

From an athletic standpoint, Mingo could be a cut above the rest. According to the relative athletic score (RAS) metric, the former Rebels star was one of 12 prospects to grade above a 9.85. 

Day 2 players often are viewed as roleplayers with upside. For Mingo, his value comes in both quick routes and blocking. Last season, Ole Miss finished top-three in rushing, averaging 256.5 yards per game. 

Running backs win the open field due to downfield blocking, an area of expertise for Mingo. And while most of Mingo's production came on quick slants and out routes, he still managed to average 16.9 yards per reception. 

This isn't to say Mingo is a plug-and-play slot target that's ready to win against physical nickel defenders, but there's potential. In the right offense that prioritizes on connecting with receivers in the short to intermediate game, Mingo could be an efficient roleplayer from the jump with future starting upside. 

In a draft class filled with questions at receiver, Mingo could provide immediate value at a fraction of the cost. Projected to be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 prospect, draft location will matter far more than draft selection. 

Depending on how his first season pans out in the pros, one could consider him an underrated prospect. Will his status as a sleeper last long when he finally comes off the board? 

Come back in December for the final result. 

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Cole Thompson
COLE THOMPSON

Cole Thompson is a reporter and columnist covering the NFL and college sports for SI's Fan Nation. A 2016 graduate from The University of Alabama, follow him on Twitter @MrColeThompson

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