Cowboys’ undrafted rookie is already proving to the NFL world that it was wrong about him and preseason hasn’t even started yet
When the Dallas Cowboys signed undrafted wide receiver Traeshon Holden out of Oregon, fans celebrated the move and looked at it as a potential steal. After all, Holden was a productive player for one of the biggest programs in college football. But the NFL world disagreed. And his rookie deal is proof. Heck, even the […]
When the Dallas Cowboys signed undrafted wide receiver Traeshon Holden out of Oregon, fans celebrated the move and looked at it as a potential steal. After all, Holden was a productive player for one of the biggest programs in college football.
But the NFL world disagreed. And his rookie deal is proof. Heck, even the Cowboys didn’t seem too high on their new player: Holden’s deal included no guaranteed money other than $3,000 signing bonus, which was the lowest of Dallas’ UDFA class by far.
For comparison, the second-lowest guaranteed amount among Cowboys UDFA rookies was awarded to DB Bruce Harmon, who received a $40,000 guarantee. Safety Alijah Clark led the team at $259,000. A low guarantee for Holden implied: 1) The Cowboys weren’t as high on the receiver’s chances of making the roster; and 2) They didn’t face much competition around the NFL to sign him, either.
Now, Traeshon Holden is a training camp standout
Despite the low financial interest Holden generated, he’s turning heads in training camp. Not only is he making some wild catches—including a fully extended, one-handed grab in the end zone—but he keeps showing up and his effort has been notorious.
Even on incomplete passes, Holden’s hustle is standing out: In the play below, the rookie receiver is the victim of a would-be hands-to-the-face foul and still recovers to make a play on the ball. Though he was out of bounds, it was a standout moment for Holden.
Holden has been mentioned by beat reporters as someone whose stock is up, and his chances of making the team over some other young receivers are looking good. He’ll need a strong preseason to increase the odds he faces as an undrafted rookie.
So why did NFL teams refuse to pay Holden more guarantees? A potential explanation could be character concerns that were discussed during the draft process, including a 2023 arrest and his spitting on an Ohio State player during the 2024 season, which led to him being ejected.
Even if he doesn’t make the team at the end of the month, Holden is already proving to NFL teams that they were wrong about him. He was always somebody who deserved over $3,000 in guaranteed money. Dallas is looking like a winner on this particular gamble.
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