Cowboys UDFA Michael Trigg Drawing Major Praise From Brian Schottenheimer – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated
Michael Trigg looks like a better UDFA signing by the day.
It’s still early in the offseason, but the Dallas Cowboys have already seen several of their younger players stand out during rookie minicamp.
Unsurprisingly, No. 11 overall pick Caleb Downs has been the most talked about player. He’s also been the one who has stood out as the most pro ready, impressing teammates with his versatility and ability to pick up the playbook quickly.
He’s not the only one who is earning praise, however. Undrafted
free agent tight end Michael Trigg, who joined the team with immense potential, has caught the attention of head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who said Trigg can “make game-changing” plays.
“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.”
5 Takeaways from Cowboys rookie minicamp: No to Fangio, Schotty moving different – K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire
2026 story lines are beginning to develop.
“Green Dot” candidates include both linebacker and safety
Former scout and media member Bryan Broaddus uncovered that this version of the Cowboys defense isn’t necessary going to follow the status quo when it comes to their field general. Often, the middle linebacker is who receives the calls from the coaching staff in their helmet speaker, but that isn’t necessarily going to be the case for the Cowboys.
It’s opened up a lot of debate for who may be the mouthpiece for Parker’s wishes, and for the first time, a Cowboys coach weighed in on that. Schottenheimer gave several names who could be under consideration, mentioning safety Jalen Thompson among the candidates, along with linebackers DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters.
At the end of the day, the green dot is interesting because general fans don’t really know what that is… there was no green dot for defense up until a couple years ago. The biggest thing I would say is that we’re going to train so many people in the green dot that we’re going to find out who is comfortable doing it. It might be D-Mo. It might be Jalen Thompson. It might be Dee Winters. It might be whoever.
At the end of the day, communication comes down to not just the green dot, but the entire defense. If we were playing a game this week, I could not tell you who would be the green dot. But we’re not playinga game for a while so we got time, there will be trial and error.. there will be different pacakges of guys being together. I have my favorite, who I think will be our green dot, but I’m not gonna share it.”
Which Dallas Cowboys are cut candidates after the 2026 NFL Draft? – Mark Heaney, Inside The Star
New faces mean tough decisions.
1. Jonathan Mingo May Be Outnumbered in the Wide Receiver Room
When the Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick for Jonathan Mingo, the vast majority of the fanbase shook their heads.
Fast-forward a few years, and it is that *somewhat* rare instance where the median fan knew better than an NFL front office: the trade has been nothing short of a disaster for Dallas.
In two years, Mingo has caught six passes for the Cowboys — give me some time and a screen pass or two, and I might be able to get half that, and that, my friends, is saying something.
This summer, he’ll have to prove more deserving of a roster spot in the wide receiver room than guys like Traeshon Holder, rookie Anthony Smith, UDFA signing Jordan Hudson, and recent veteran signing Tyler Johnson. I could be proven wrong, but I don’t see that happening.
Cowboys have ideal LB solution hiding in plain sight (but not Bobby Wagner)- Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat
There are still holes to fill and faces to fill them.
The Dallas Cowboys should sign Bobby Okereke to stabilize LB room
A defensive captain for the New York Giants over the last three years, Okereke is one of the best remaining free agents, regardless of position. He was released before the new league year as part of a major roster shakeup in East Rutherford following the hiring of John Harbaugh.
Okereke didn’t play at the same level in 2025 as he did in the previous two seasons, when he was a borderline Pro Bowler, but nobody on the Giants’ defense lived up to expectations outside of edge rusher Brian Burns.
The former third-round pick was caught in the fallout of a disastrous season under defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who was fired midseason. He may have lost a step entering his age-30 season, but it’s nonsense to suggest he’s washed or has fallen off a cliff.
In Dallas, Okereke would have the luxury of playing behind Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, who are as good as any defensive tackles at keeping linebackers clean. It’ll be a lot easier for Okereke to get downhill and he’ll be flanked by uber-athletic LBs in DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, and Jaishawn Barham.
Daily Discussion Question: What are the outstanding needs left for the Cowboys?
