Every spring, hundreds of college football players miss out on the dream of being drafted into the NFL. But their real goal, actually making an NFL roster, is still very much alive. We usually see at least one or two undrafted free agents make the Dallas Cowboys’ 53-man roster, and there are three such rookies in camp who are making solid cases in 2026.
Undrafted talent has done plenty to help the Cowboys through the years. This summer alone, coming back from last year’s team are Brandon Aubrey, KaVontae
Turpin, Terence Steele, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Markquese Bell, and Alijah Clark. Those first four names are pretty much roster locks, and Bell and Clark should both be competitive for the bottom of the safety depth chart this year.
This year’s crop of UDFAs had 11 players: RB Dominic Richardson, WRs Camden Brown and Jordan Hudson, TEs Michael Trigg and D.J. Rodgers, OTs Sidney Fugar and Shiyazh Pete, DTs Tommy Dunn, Kelvin Gilliam, and D.J. Withers, and LB Langston Patterson. None of them were going to have an easy time with unusually deep position groups going into camp, and Richardson has already been waived at running back. But some are faring better, to the point that they may have a chair when the music stops on August 30th.
WR Camden Brown
When the UDFA signings were announced, SMU’s Jordan Hudson was the receiver most were focused on. But Brown, who transferred from Auburn to George Southern for his senior year, is now the talk of the WR competition. Buried on the Tigers’ bench for most of his college career, his one big year with the Eagles was enough to get him on the NFL radar. Now, it appears the Cowboys may have found one of this year’s diamonds in the rough.
We’re no strangers to late-round or even undrafted WRs becoming contributors in Dallas. The big names go back to Miles Austin and Cole Beasley, with Ryan Flournoy seemingly on his way. But others like Cedrick Wilson and Noah Brown have defied expectations to be solid role players, worthy of a coveted 53-man roster spot.
Right now, Brown is looking like a similar find. We’ve heard way more about him this summer than seventh-round pick Anthony Smith, or other down-roster candidates like Jonathan Mingo, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, or Traeshon Holden. There’s still plenty of time left for the winds to shift, but as it stands, Brown’s momentum has him on the roster bubble.
TEs D.J. Rodgers & Michael Trigg
When fourth-year veteran Princeton Fant suffered a season-ending injury early in camp, the Cowboys didn’t rush out for another experienced option. They did add Zack Kuntz to the mix, but he’s only appeared in two career games since being a seventh-round pick in 2023. They seem content to allow their inexperienced prospects to battle for a potential fourth spot at TE, with Rodgers and Trigg leading the way.
Even before Fant’s injury, many had Trigg as the fourth man at tight end. Some were even thinking he could challenge for Luke Schoonmaker’s job. And yes, Trigg has been as advertised in terms of his athleticism and pass-catching skills.
When asked about Trigg’s progress and roster potential in a recent media session, Brian Schottenheimer noted that Trigg is able to do special things as a receiving TE. But Coach was quick to shift to D.J. Rodgers, highlighting his all-around game and very important skill of run blocking. It sounded like things were still very even between the two UDFAs, and one could argue that superior blocking is more important at the bottom of the TE depth chart than receiving ability.
The Cowboys may not even keep a fourth TE, given FB Hunter Luepke’s ability to be an emergency option. In past seasons, Princeton Fant would generally get called up from the practice squad for his game action. So unless Dallas is going to part ways early with Schoonmaker, it’s possible that the most Rodgers, Trigg, or any other TE can hope for is a spot with the practice team.
That said, down-roster spots are sometimes about securing future assets. Trigg was a well-known commodity in this year’s draft class, who only went undrafted due to character concerns. If he shows well in preseason games, or Rodgers for that matter, the Cowboys may be worried about risking them to the waiver process. That’s another way one might make the 53, even if they don’t dress for most games.
