Jonathan Mingo trade grades: Man, what are the Cowboys even doing here?

Grading the Dallas Cowboys trade for Jonathan Mingo: F

The Dallas Cowboys traded a 2023 sixth-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for linebacker Jonathan Mingo on Tuesday. It's a move that has been met with widespread criticism, and for good reason.

Mingo is a 30-year-old journeyman who has never been a particularly good player. He has just 10.5 sacks in 94 career games, and he has never started more than 10 games in a season.

The Cowboys are already one of the worst pass-rushing teams in the NFL, and adding Mingo is unlikely to make much of a difference. He's not a good fit for Dan Quinn's defense, and he's not going to be a major contributor.

Grading the Atlanta Falcons trade for Jonathan Mingo: B

The Atlanta Falcons traded linebacker Jonathan Mingo to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2023 sixth-round pick on Tuesday. It's a move that makes sense for both teams.

Mingo is a veteran player who has never been a star, but he's a solid contributor who can help a team in a variety of ways. He's a good run defender, and he can also rush the passer. He's also a good locker room presence.

The Falcons are rebuilding, and they're not going to be competitive in 2023. Trading Mingo for a draft pick is a smart move for them. They get something in return for a player who wasn't going to be a major contributor, and they free up some cap space.