The Dallas Cowboys took advantage of a strong defensive class during the 2026 NFL Draft and loaded up on that side of the ball. But as they approached the undrafted free agent market, Dallas changed its tune and began targeting offensive players.
Most notably among them were a pair of tight ends who played their college football locally -- TCU's DJ Rogers and Baylor's Michael Trigg. Although neither heard their names called on the final weekend in April, both were highly sought after once the event ended.
Trigg, in particular, is an intriguing name as a two-time All-Big 12 honoree. Brian Schottenheimer's recent comments about him before rookie minicamp paint a picture of a young player who has a legitimate chance to make the 53-man team when it is all said and done.
Dallas Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer is high on UDFA TE Michael Trigg
Schottenheimer spoke with local reporters last Saturday, and he was asked directly, given his history of undrafted tight ends making the roster, about the duo of players that he brought in at the position this offseason. His praise of Trigg was notable.
"Talk about Michael Trigg first, we’ve all seen the highlight reel catches and things that he did at Baylor -- it’s impressive. You talk about a guy that can stretch the field vertically and make game-changing ‘wow’-type plays attacking the middle of the field. I think that jumps out at you.”
Obviously, Trigg will have to prove that on the field, and it is always an uphill battle for an undrafted rookie to make the team. But with only Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker and Princeton Fant behind Jake Ferguson, Dallas' need for tight end depth is absolutely dire.
Trigg was seen by many as a firmly draftable prospect, but he fell out of favor for whatever reason. If he can keep his head on straight and impress at The Star as he did over the last two college football seasons, then Trigg may even have an inside track at being a rotational tight end.
Although he can't come out and say it before he sets foot on the practice field, it seemed like Schottenheimer was almost soft-launching the idea that Trigg is a viable tight end for the Cowboys. Dallas just doesn't have the elements in the tight end room that Schottenheimer claimed Trigg brings.
It will be interesting to see how the battle between him and Rogers shakes out. But that may also be selling Trigg short. Schottenheimer is high on him, and the talent is clearly there. If Trigg can just clean up a few things, then soon, his being on the Cowboys' 53-man team will be the worst-kept secret.
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