Dallas, TX — In the aftermath of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys have quietly shifted their focus toward uncovering offensive upside, adding a wave of undrafted talent that could ultimately reshape depth and competition across key skill positions.
While the organization prioritized defensive reinforcements during the draft itself, the post-draft strategy reveals a calculated effort to surround quarterback Dak Prescott with additional weapons, signaling a broader commitment to offensive balance heading into a pivotal season.
Among the most intriguing additions is Michael Trigg, a standout tight end from Baylor Bears football who arrives in Dallas with a combination of size, athleticism, and upside that has already drawn significant attention from league observers.
At just over 6-foot-3 and approximately 240 pounds, Trigg possesses a physical profile that aligns with the modern NFL tight end archetype, blending vertical receiving ability with positional versatility that allows him to operate across multiple alignments.
His signing did not go unnoticed across the scouting community, with NBC Sports analyst Ryan Fowler describing the move as a “big get” for Dallas, emphasizing both Trigg’s athletic traits and his reputation for having some of the most reliable hands among tight ends in this year’s class.
“Source: Cowboys are signing Baylor TE Michael Trigg as a UDFA… Big get for Dallas as one of the top names in the UDFA group,” Fowler reported, highlighting how the Cowboys may have secured one of the most coveted undrafted prospects available.
From a financial standpoint, the commitment further underscores Dallas’ belief in Trigg’s potential, as the tight end reportedly received $200,000 in guaranteed money, placing him among the top five highest-paid undrafted free agents following the draft.
In addition to that guarantee, Trigg agreed to a $25,000 signing bonus and a contract that could reach $3.1 million if he earns a spot on the final roster, a structure that reflects both opportunity and expectation.
His collegiate résumé supports that investment, as Trigg delivered an impressive 2025 campaign with 50 receptions, 694 receiving yards, and six touchdowns in just 11 appearances, production that placed him among the more consistent pass-catching tight ends in college football.
Those performances earned him First-Team All-Big 12 honors and positioned him as a finalist for the prestigious John Mackey Award, an accolade given annually to the nation’s top tight end, further validating his impact at the collegiate level.
What makes Trigg’s story even more compelling is the path he took to reach this point, having spent time at USC Trojans football and Ole Miss Rebels football before ultimately finding his stride at Baylor, where his development accelerated against elite competition.
Despite going undrafted, Trigg was widely projected to hear his name called during the later rounds, with analysts noting his steady rise throughout the pre-draft process and his potential fit within pass-heavy offensive systems.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein graded Trigg as a sixth- to seventh-round prospect and drew comparisons to Gerald Everett, citing his length, movement skills, and ability to create mismatches against both linebackers and defensive backs.
Scouting reports consistently highlighted his rare arm length, fluid athleticism, and ability to track the football in contested situations, traits that often translate well to red-zone production at the professional level.
At the same time, evaluators noted areas for growth, particularly in route refinement and in-line blocking, aspects of his game that will require continued development if he is to secure a consistent role within the Cowboys’ offensive scheme.
Still, his ability to stretch the field vertically and generate separation against slower defenders provides an intriguing dimension to Dallas’ offense, especially in formations that emphasize spacing and matchup exploitation.
Beyond Trigg, the Cowboys continued to add offensive talent through the undrafted market, bringing in players such as SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson, TCU tight end DJ Rogers, Georgia Southern receiver Camden Brown, and Tulsa running back Dominic Richardson.
This influx of young skill-position players creates a highly competitive environment heading into training camp, where opportunities will be limited but performance will dictate outcomes in a merit-based system.
For Prescott, the addition of multiple pass-catching options could prove valuable, particularly as the team looks to diversify its offensive approach and reduce predictability against opposing defenses.
Off the field, Prescott has also navigated personal challenges this offseason, including the reported end of his engagement to Sarah Jane Ramos, a situation that has drawn media attention beyond football.
Despite that, head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed confidence in his quarterback’s mental and emotional state, emphasizing Prescott’s resilience and leadership within the team.
“Dak and I have had a ton of conversations… He’s in a really good spot. Obviously what he’s dealing with is incredibly tough, but if anyone can handle it, he can,” Schottenheimer said, reinforcing the organization’s trust in their franchise quarterback.
As training camp approaches, the spotlight will increasingly shift toward how these undrafted additions perform in live competition, where roster spots must be earned through consistency, adaptability, and execution.
For Trigg in particular, the opportunity is clear but the margin for error remains slim, as he must quickly translate collegiate success into professional reliability within a crowded tight end room.
The history of the NFL is filled with undrafted players who have defied expectations, and while the path is undeniably challenging, it is not without precedent for players with the right combination of talent and determination.
In Dallas, the stakes are amplified by the team’s ambitions and the expectations that come with wearing the star, creating an environment where every rep carries significance.
Ultimately, the Cowboys’ post-draft strategy reflects a belief that impact players can emerge from any level of acquisition, provided they are given the structure and opportunity to develop.
For Michael Trigg, that opportunity has arrived, bringing with it the chance to turn potential into production and to transform a quiet signing into one of the most compelling underdog stories of the 2026 season.