Rookie Jordan Hudson is a longshot to make the Cowboys’ roster this year, but that shot may not be as long as usual for an undrafted free agent. With much uncertainty in Dallas’ wide receiver group, a dark horse has a decent chance of emerging from the pack. And that’s exactly what this former Mustang hopes to do this summer.
Background
Years in NFL: 0
Acquired by: 2026 UDFA
A highly-rated prospect coming out of Garland, TX in 2022, Hudson had offers from top schools like Alabama, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Tennessee,
and Texas. He committed to the Sooners but then backed out and announced he’d be going to SMU. That would again change as Hudson backed out with the Mustangs and ultimately ended up at TCU for his freshman year.
After a solid year as a true freshman, Hudson entered the transfer portal and was welcomed back by SMU. He spent the next three years there, producing as a top-three receiver in 2023-2024 and then becoming their WR1 last season. Hudson capped his college career with career bests in catches (61) and yards (766), plus six touchdowns. He was played in the 2026 Senior Bowl and was named to the All-ACC third team.
At the 2026 Scouting Combine, Hudson’s numbers were pedestrian for his speed and quickness. But at 6’1” and with proven skills as an aggressive pass-catcher and physical runner, Hudson was still considered by some to be a potential Day 3 pick. But he never heard his name called on Saturday, and instead signed with the Cowboys as a free agent.
Contract Status
Years Left: 3
2026 Cap Hit: $890k
Hudson got a fairly standard three-year deal to join Dallas: minimal salary and little of it guaranteed. He’ll have to make the roster for that contract to stay intact: even going to the practice squad becomes a new, separate financial arrangement.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup WR
Roster Chance: 20%
The odds of Hudson making the team aren’t great, but they’re better than they could be. Even though Dallas’ receiver depth chart feels pretty open from WR5 on down, there are more experienced options to get past. Veterans Jonathan Mingo, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Tyler Johnson will be competing for that fifth spot. You also have drafted rookie Anthony Smith and an undrafted darling from last year, Traeshon Holden, to consider. To call any of those five a definitive favorite at this point is hard to say: it will be decided this summer.
That means there’s an opportunity for a guy like Hudson to slip into the conversation. If he can have the kind of camp and preseason that Holden did last year, who knows? Dallas is less committed to Mingo than a year ago, and most of the others are new additions. If Hudson can impress with his physicality both as a blocker and on special teams, that will make him competitive for a down-roster spot. Former Cowboys WR Noah Brown hung around for five years because he excelled at the dirty work, so that could be a pathway for Hudson.
Ultimately, though, there has to be enough receiving talent to stand with the rest of the prospects. If Jordan Hudson’s struggles with separation and overall athleticism hold him back in camp and the preseason the way they did in the draft cycle, he will likely find his way to the practice squad.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
C Cooper Beebe
G Tyler Booker
S Alijah Clark
EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
TE Jake Ferguson
S Malik Hooker
LB Shemar James
G Trevor Keegan
FB Hunter Luepke
RB Phil Mafah
QB Joe Milton III
WR Jonathan Mingo
CB Devin Moore
LB DeMarvion Overshown
LS Trent Sieg
WR Anthony Smith
OT Terence Steele
CB Reddy Steward
DT Jay Toia
EDGE Tyrus Wheat
EDGE Sam Williams
