The Dallas Cowboys have a long and rich history of unearthing undrafted free agents and turning them into contributors. We could sit here, and name after name and the list would be impressive. But it’s very rare that the Cowboys sign a player after the draft who is as talented as Michael Trigg.
Trigg was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, but bounced around college football, playing for USC, Ole Miss, and Baylor. And that’s part of the problem for Trigg. He’s never found a home, and his production has suffered greatly as a result.
The Cowboys are hoping that they can be the right landing spot for Trigg, as many around the league believe he could be one of the best tight ends in this class. But that is certainly going to be easier said than done.
NFL scouts see oodles of potential in Dallas Cowboys' tight end Michael Trigg
Going into the 2026 draft process, many believed that Trigg was one of the top players in this year’s class. In an article by Bob McGinn of the Go Long Substack, he put together a top-100 big board for the 2026 class, made up by NFL scouts, and Trigg was included on that list.
McGinn asked scouts to rank the top tight ends in this year’s draft, and Trigg came in at No. 6, just behind Marlin Kline, who went in the second round to the Texans. Trigg was ranked ahead of multiple other tight ends who were selected on Day 2, including Nate Boerkircher and Oscar Delp.
Opinions among the scouts were certainly mixed, but the overwhelming consensus was that he is one of the most gifted players in the class. Here is what one scout told McGinn about the former Baylor:
“He’s more talented than Max Klare but he’s not as consistently reliable. He’s got some catches on tape, I mean, over the top of people. He also has some points where you go, ‘Huh? A little lazy there, young man.’ Doesn’t like blocking too much but when he does it he’s good. He’s a weapon. He’s probably the third most talented tight end.”
When you watch the highlights of Trigg, it’s hard to argue. His tape is littered with unbelievable receptions, making plays after the catch, and running past really good defenders. But teams don’t draft players based on their highlights. They want consistent players whom they can rely on every single snap.
The Cowboys are hopeful that Lunda Wells, who is one of the most respected tight end coaches in the NFL, can get the most out of Trigg. He’s done a great job of developing players like Dalton Schultz, Jake Ferguson, and Brevyn Spann-Ford in the past.
Trigg is far more gifted and athletic than any of those names, but he’s also way further behind in terms of refinement and maturity.
It is worth mentioning that another scout talked about some of Trigg’s maturity issues during his collegiate career. He noted that Trigg was “kicked out of Ole Miss,” but it is now on the right track:
“He’s got some issues in his past. He got suspended for a game a year ago and then kind of turned it around (in 2025). They had nothing but high marks for him this year as far as being a teammate.”
The fact that Trigg fell completely out of the NFL Draft certainly suggests that teams still aren’t comfortable with his character. And that is a shame, considering that there were a record-breaking 22 tight ends selected this year.
There is no doubt that Trigg is more talented than most of the players whose names were heard last week, but the NFL isn’t about who is the most talented. It’s about the players who can be the most consistent and reliable. If Trigg wants to become another UDFA success story in Dallas, he has to prove that his off-field maturity issues are behind him.
In theory, he should be a perfect fit in Dallas and with Dak Prescott. The Cowboys have not had a tight end like this on their roster over the last 20 years. He’s at his best when he’s utilized as a big slot receiver and can carve up single coverage with ease. Trigg can fly up the seam, and with his absurd wingspan (84 3/8”), he is a massive target for an offense that could use more juice at tight end.
Trigg has a chance to be one of the biggest steals in the entire draft. He landed in the ideal situation with a strong coaching staff. Everything is set up for him to be successful. But it’s pretty clear the rest of the league is skeptical that he’ll be able to turn it around. The Cowboys are betting that they are wrong.
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