There’s a Mingo to Minnesota Link
Dustin Baker
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As of early April, the Minnesota Vikings employ this WR room:
- Justin Jefferson
- K.J. Osborn
- Jalen Nailor
- Brandon Powell
- Jalen Reagor
- Blake Proehl
- Trishton Jackson
That group might do the trick inside Kevin O’Connell’s 2023 offense, or he could add another name to strengthen the WR2 summer camp battle. The Vikings can roll with Osborn at WR2, trade for a Courtland Sutton type, sign Odell Beckham from the free-agent market, or draft a wide receiver in three weeks.
There’s a Mingo to Minnesota Link
Those are the options.
And according to ESPN, Minnesota might dip in the middle rounds for WR depth. ESPN’s Matt Bowen recommended Ole Miss’ Jonathan Mingo this week in an article about best team fits for the draft’s keynote playmakers.
It is unclear how soon Mingo would receive WR2 attention from the Vikings, if ever, but perhaps adding him to the roster could push Osborn to the brink in July and August. Bowen explained, “After the departure of veteran Adam Thielen, the Vikings could add someone like Mingo to the wide receiver room on Day 2 of the draft. And I really like the fit for him in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, given Mingo’s powerful frame, route detail and production after the catch.”
The Vikings last drafted an Ole Miss alumnus in 2016 — Laquon Treadwell.
“The Vikings can create free access off the ball for Mingo with motion and creative formations, giving him targets on rhythm throws from quarterback Kirk Cousins. That’d provide schemed voids that also put Mingo in a position to get loose after the catch, where he averaged 7.4 yards after the reception in 2022. Finally, Mingo would have the slot flexibility in Minnesota’s system to fit well with the Vikings premier targets Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson,” Bowen concluded about Mingo to Minnesota.
Treadwell notwithstanding, a handful of Ole Miss pass-catchers have caught on in the NFL, including A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, and Mike Wallace. Elijah Moore, who was just traded to the Cleveland Browns, was also drafted from the school to the New York Jets.
Our very own Josh Frey summarized the Mingo experience, “Mingo definitely has the tools to succeed in the NFL. He has the length to win contested catch situations, and his speed and acceleration put pressure on the top-end of opposing defenses. The biggest concerns are drops and a lack of complexity in his route tree.”
Mingo notched 112 receptions for 1,758 yards and 12 touchdowns in 34 games at Ole Miss, so about 52 yards per game. Many Vikings enthusiasts expect the club to draft a wide receiver higher than Round 3 if no free-agent signing or trade comes to fruition before the draft, but Mingo or a player of his caliber could be the draft compromise.
Mingo will turn 22 one week before the draft.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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