Which UDFAs could make Dallas Cowboys roster? Ranking players with the best shot – Joseph Hoyt, The Dallas Morning News
Which UDFA’s could fight for a roster spot and playing time in 2026?
No. 1 Baylor TE Michael Trigg
Trigg’s talent is certainly evident. The 6-4 tight end looks like a basketball player on grass. He has a greater than 7-foot wingspan — a mark that’s not only rare, but one that’s earned a nickname around Waco. Trigg said people will say he has “go-go-gadget” arms like the character Inspector Gadget. Trigg uses those arms, too. He made plenty of spectacular catches during a five-year career at USC, Ole
Miss and eventually Baylor. He had 14 touchdowns in his career, including six last season. He was rated as a potential fifth-round prospect, according to The Athletic.
Of course, players are always available after the draft for a reason. He’ll have to show throughout the offseason that he’s not only athletic, but he can be diligent, too, and act like a professional on the field and in practice. If he can, and if he can make spectacular catches in Oxnard like he did in college, then expect him to push for a tight end spot on the 53-man roster.
Cowboys player named top 30 pick, Round 3 steal by ESPN – Matthew Lenix, Blogging the Boys
The Jaishawn Barham hive is growing.
The name of the game for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft was defense, and they specifically nailed it in the first three rounds. After taking safety Caleb Downs and edge Malachi Lawrence in round one, the Cowboys selected linebacker/edge Jaishawn Barham out of Michigan in round three after not having a second-round pick.
Dallas could have tried to finagle a second-rounder with one of the fourth-round picks they got from the Philadelphia Eagles when they moved back to No. 23 from No. 20 and took Lawrence. However, they stayed and got Barham, and Matt Miller of ESPN loves that they did. He ranks Barham as the 30th best pick of the entire draft.
Good luck dealing with the Cowboys when they get into nickel defense with Downs in the box and Barham coming off the edge. A former linebacker at Michigan, he made the move to edge rusher in 2025 and was fantastic. Playing in a pro-level scheme under former NFL defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, Barham thrived after making the position change in Week 3, with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. Getting Barham in Round 2 would have been a hit, but drafting him at the back end of Round 3 is a steal.
Caleb Downs Reacts to Being Drafted by Cowboys in New Behind-the-Scenes Video – Zach Bachar, Bleacher Report
New footage has come out from Caleb Downs draft day experience.
Former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs’ behind-the-scenes reaction to being selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft has been revealed.
In a video posted by the YouTube channel for his Downs 2 Business podcast, Downs received a call from the Cowboys that he was getting drafted before celebrating with his family, friends and teammates (13:00 mark).
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia also congratulated him (14:20 mark).
Dallas initially held the No. 12 pick in the draft, but traded up to select Downs in a swap with the Miami Dolphins.
It’s easy to see why the Cowboys were focused on landing the 21-year-old, as he’s coming off an impressive junior season at Ohio State.
Downs racked up 68 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 14 games during his 2025 campaign while finishing No. 9 in Heisman Trophy voting.
He allowed a mere 46.5 passer rating when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus.
Dee Winters on joining Cowboys: ‘This is a huge year for me’ – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com
Dee Winters introduces himself to Cowboys Nation.
FRISCO, Texas – Dee Winters was moving into his new home in Arlington, Texas last Friday night when he got a call from Cowboys COO/co-owner Stephen Jones.
Dallas traded a fifth-round pick to the 49ers for Winters, who had just wrapped up his third NFL season in San Francisco.
“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised quite a bit…” Winters said of the news. “I definitely didn’t have any plans on being traded. But everything happens for a reason, I’m excited that I’m back home and I get to play for the Dalals Cowboys.”
Winters, a Texas native who played college football at TCU, had the most productive season of his NFL career in 2025, starting all 17 games for the 49ers and posting 101 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five pass breakups and a pick-six.
“I think just the attention to detail last year, and just kind of understanding what offenses like to do,” Winters said of what sparked his career-best year in 2025. “I feel like I started to pick up on it more as I got reps. Just that experience each and every game getting better and trying to use that motto, I think that really helped me have a decent year last year.”
COWBOYS 3–4 DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART PREDICTION – Cody Warren, InsidetheStar.com
How will the Cowboys base defense look with all the new faces?
Now that the offense is finished, we will take a look at what I think the defensive depth chart will look like at the start of the 2026 season.
I’m building this around a base 3–4 defense, and that change will affect how I look at the entire depth chart. This will be about figuring out where the players fit the scheme, who gives Dallas some position flex and helps this defense progress.
In a 3–4, the Cowboys will need size up front, athleticism at linebacker, and defensive backs who can move around. Some players fit cleaner than others, and a few roster decisions are going to be tougher than people think.
Again, players that are bold and blue are projected for my 53-man roster on the defensive side.
In a base 3–4, I want size, power, and versatility up front.Quinnen Williams and Keny Clark give Dallas strength and pass rush at the end position. They can also move up and down the line much like the rest of the defensive end depth chart and take pressure off the linebackers.
Jonathan Bullard makes the roster because I like having a veteran body who can handle different jobs across the front. LT Overton is the kind of young defensive lineman I want to keep around because he has the size and upside to grow into a big role.
Kelvin Gilliam Jr., DJ Withers, and Tommy Dunn Jr. are not on the 53, but they are all players I would consider for the practice squad. Out of that group, I would really try to keep Dunn in the building as a developmental lineman.
