Former Oregon Duck making a name for himself as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys and could earn a roster spot
Former Oregon Duck wide receiver Traeshon Holden is making a case to make the Dallas Cowboys roster after a strong preseason debut.
The Dallas Cowboys’ preseason has been full of intriguing storylines, but few are generating more quiet buzz than wide receiver Traeshon Holden. The undrafted rookie out of Oregon—and formerly Alabama—has been steadily making his case to stick around in one of the league’s most competitive wide receiver rooms.
In his preseason debut, the 6’3” wideout led the team with 42 receiving yards, highlighted by a 35-yard sideline grab that showcased his physicality and ball skills.
After the game, head coach Brian Schottenheimer made sure to single out his rookie’s performance.
“Every day he shows up, I mean he really does,” Schottenheimer said of Holden. “Every day he makes a play. … And when you do that, you get noticed, and when you do that, you get more opportunities, and just proud of him. … You’ll see him moving up the depth chart.”
Holden has long been overlooked and has never been the go-to option in his career—even though he has the talent for it. He failed to make an impact at Alabama, which led him to transfer to Oregon for his final two years of school. While at Oregon, Holden displayed a knack for big plays and was outstanding with the ball in his hands after the catch.
Adversity has followed Holden throughout his collegiate career. In 2023, Holden was arrested on a gun charge, but the charge was ultimately dismissed. In 2024, Holden was suspended from the Ohio State game after spitting on an opponent. These incidents are likely why Holden fell out of the draft, even though his talent warranted a selection.
Holden has already rewritten his preseason narrative for a player who felt overlooked just months ago. His size, route-running, and competitive edge are turning heads in Oxnard. Whether he ultimately cracks the Cowboys’ final 53 or starts on the practice squad, one thing is clear—Holden is no longer under the radar.
If he keeps stacking performances like his preseason debut, he might go from undrafted afterthought to one of Dallas’ surprise roster wins of 2025.
