The Dallas Cowboys spent this past weekend getting the new draft class acclimated to the team. The majority of draft additions were on the defensive side of the field, but somewhat buried withn this group is an undrafted free agent who has quickly become a fan favorite; former Baylor Bears tight end Michael Trigg.
Trigg has been on fans’ watch list since a clip of him working with Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells at Baylor’s Pro Day surfaced in March. While many experts projected him as a fourth or fifth-round talent, he went undrafted. The pre-draft hype has still led to high expectations upon his arrival in Dallas.
The hype was further validated during a recent press conference with Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. When asked about players who stood out during the pseudo practices, Schottenheimer specifically highlighted Trigg’s athleticism and impact.
“We’ve all seen the highlight reel catches and things that he did at Baylor; it’s impressive,” Schottenheimer said. “You talk about a guy that can stretch the field vertically and make game-changing ‘wow’ type plays attacking the middle of the field.” This professional endorsement aligns perfectly with the film, where those exact traits, the primary reason fans fell in love with his game, are on full display.
Michael Trigg Pro Day measurements
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 240 pounds
Arm length: 34 1/4″
Vertical jump- 27.5.”
Games Watched: vs Arizona State (2025), vs Auburn, and vs Troy (2022 when played for Ole Miss)
Strengths
Trigg operates as a slot receiver trapped in a tight end’s frame, offering the versatility to flex out wide or align as a move TE. His ability to accelerate downfield appears effortless, and he utilizes a sophisticated swipe move to shed defenders and create immediate separation.
Beyond his speed, Trigg possesses elite contact balance. His film reveals a bruising runner who routinely bounces off initial contact to gain extra yardage. Most importantly for Dallas, his proficiency on the seam route, a staple of Dak Prescott’s passing attack, combined with above-the-rim, jump-ball ability, gives him legitimate TE2, TE3 potential as he continues to refine his game.
Weaknesses
While Trigg is a dynamic receiving threat, he currently lacks the technical foundation required to be a consistent contributor in the trenches. His primary struggle lies in his blocking mechanics; he often plays with a high pad level, losing the leverage battle at the point of attack. Furthermore, his hand placement lacks a defined purpose, which can lead to inconsistencies when trying to sustain blocks against NFL-caliber edge rushers.
For Trigg to secure a long-term role, developing a blue-collar mentality in the run game will be just as vital as his contributions in the passing game.
Even as a pass-catcher, there are technical refinements needed to maximize his physical gifts. Trigg currently lacks a true knack for shaking elite defenders, often failing to utilize head fakes or leverage to create windows of separation. In the NFL, where windows are tighter and defenders are more disciplined, he cannot rely on raw athleticism alone. By refining his route stems and learning to blindside defenders with better leverage discipline, Trigg can transition from a situational big slot into a complete, high-impact tight end.
Where does he fit on the Cowboys?
The current roster landscape presents a clear opening for a specialized receiving threat at tight end.
While the Cowboys have a premier starter in Jake Ferguson and a formidable blocking presence with red-zone upside in Brevyn Spann-Ford, they are still searching for a matchup nightmare who can dominate the slot and exploit the seams, a favorite target area for Dak Prescott.
Trigg possesses the it factor to fill that specific void, though he remains a work in progress. To truly unlock his potential, he must refine his blocking technique and develop more nuance in his route running to create consistent separation against NFL defenders. If he can bridge the gap between his natural athleticism and professional technicality, he has all the hallmarks of becoming the next UDFA gem fans hear called on Sundays.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Did Cowboys uncover game-changing UDFA out the Big 12?
Reporting by Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
