Who Should I Start? Tyquan Thornton or Jonathan Mingo

Tuesday, May 7, 3:03 PM

The Athletic's Chad Graff believes the New England Patriots will be content cutting both wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton this year after they added rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker with two of their first five draft picks this year. The team would have to eat more than $9 million in dead money if they decide to cut Smith-Schuster. Thornton is the only true speedster in the receiver room, but the former second-rounder in 2022 out of Baylor has been a disappointment in his first two NFL seasons. In 22 total games (12 starts), the 23-year-old has just 35 receptions on 68 targets for 338 yards and two touchdowns. Right now, Kendrick Bourne, Polk, Demario Douglas, Baker, K.J. Osborn and Jalen Reagor figure to be on the final roster at the position.

Tuesday, January 2, 7:16 PM

The Carolina Panthers placed rookie wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (foot) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday with a foot injury and signed veteran running back Mike Boone to their practice squad in a corresponding move. Mingo will now miss the final game of his rookie season in Week 18 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 22-year-old second-rounder predictably had an inconsistent first year in the NFL while working with struggling first-round quarterback Bryce Young. In 15 games played, Mingo caught 43 of his 85 targets for 418 yards and no touchdowns. Mingo and Young will continue to work on their chemistry this offseason in hopes of connecting more often in 2024. With Mingo sidelined this weekend, Terrance Marshall Jr. should be active, while Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Mike Strachan should have bigger roles behind Adam Thielen and DJ Chark Jr.