Dallas Cowboys undrafted rookie named ‘sleeper’ to watch, and here’s why OTAs are actually a huge deal for him
The Dallas Cowboys’ undrafted tight end is drawing national attention ahead of OTAs. And they happen to be a more important date for him than almost anyone else on the roster.
The reality is that when OTAs come around, we football fans tend to be a little bit overexcited about the whole thing. Sure, it’s an important time for teams, Dallas Cowboys included. But position battles don’t get sorted out until training camp.
And yet, it’s a great opportunity to hear from players and coaches, as well as learn a little bit about the pecking order across the roster.
But for undrafted rookie tight end Michael Trigg, OTAs are actually a huge opportunity. And he’s already gathering national attention.
Michael Trigg named Top 10 UDFA to watch in OTAs
Draft expert Justin Melo listed Trigg as one of the Top 10 sleeper UDFAs “who actually matter” ahead of OTAs. Trigg was the Cowboys’ most expensive signing in undrafted free agency at $280,000 guaranteed.
“Former Baylor tight end Michael Trigg is an athletic pass catcher with shocking arm length and above-average speed,” Melo writes. “Trigg runs routes like a big wide receiver with initial quickness that threatens open-field space. He is a mismatch nightmare for both linebackers and defensive backs in coverage. Alleged character concerns contributed to him going undrafted, but the Dallas Cowboys made him an aggressive offer that totaled $280,000 in guarantees.”
Trigg is a fascinating player for the Cowboys, as the franchise has traditionally opted for Y-tight ends over “big slot” types like Trigg is.
With the rookie spending most of his collegiate career unattached from the offensive line, the question is: Does Dallas want him to learn to play a more traditional in-line role? Or are they open to using him as a big slot receiver?
Why Cowboys OTAs are a big opportunity for Trigg
Cowboys OTAs kick off June 1 and while I stand by what I said earlier about us overhyping them, it’s a massive date for Trigg. As Melo points out, Trigg’s fall from the draft had mostly to do with character concerns.
Trigg served multiple suspensions in college. In his draft guide, Dane Brugler from The Athletic quoted an NFL scout worried about Trigg’s consistency: “I know how much he likes football, but he needs hard coaching […] and you hope he develops better consistency, on and off the field.”
At OTAs though, Trigg can show he’s ready to get to work. If he can buy into a strong culture set by head coach Brian Schottenheimer—the same that helped make George Pickens so successful in 2025—his stock will take off ahead of training camp.
If it weren’t for those concerns, Trigg would have likely been a fifth-round pick back in April. As long as he can make the attitude and behavior side of things work, Trigg can wind up another Cowboys UDFA steal and a member of the 53-manb roster.
It all starts at OTAs though. To him, they matter. A lot.