The Dallas Cowboys are flooding the depth chart with fresh faces, signing 11 undrafted free agents while still riding the momentum of their draft-week wheeling and dealing. From big-bodied linemen to versatile pass catchers, Dallas suddenly has a crowded rookie pool heading into minicamp, and plenty of jobs up for grabs.
Eleven rookies added to the roster
In a post-draft update, the Dallas Cowboys outlined their rookie haul, and the El Paso Times reported that the team has agreed to terms with 11 undrafted free agents: Jordan Hudson, Michael Trigg, D.J. Rogers, Shiyazh Pete, Sidney Fugar, Camden Brown, Dominic Richardson, Kelvin Gilliam, Tommy Dunn Jr., D.J. Withers, and Langston Patterson. Most are long shots to crack the 53-man roster, but a few have clear lanes to carve out special teams roles or rotational snaps if they hit the ground running.
Trigg and Pete bring size and production
Baylor tight end Michael Trigg, who posted 50 catches for 694 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, gives Dallas a ready-made red-zone option, according to Baylor Athletics. Big-framed tackle Shiyazh Pete, listed at about 6-foot-8, started multiple seasons at New Mexico State before a year at Kentucky and brings rare length for a developmental swing tackle, per his UK Athletics bio. Local receiver Jordan Hudson and versatile tight end D.J. Rogers are early names to watch, especially on special teams and in the first waves of camp reps.
Trades reshaped Dallas’ short-term plans
The rookie influx follows a flurry of veteran moves that changed Dallas’ short-term outlook, headlined by the acquisition of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets in a deal that included draft compensation and a player, according to ESPN. The Cowboys also traded for linebacker Dee Winters, sending a fifth-round pick to San Francisco in a draft-day swap, per the 49ers. Those additions help explain why the front office is pairing long-term developmental bets with players it hopes can contribute right away.
What to watch at rookie minicamp
The rookie minicamp will be the first real filter for this undrafted group. At least one UDFA typically sneaks onto the 53-man roster via special teams or a very specific role, a pattern highlighted by The Dallas Morning News. Coaches will be locked in on special-teams tackling, route-running precision, and how quickly the newcomers pick up the playbook. Expect a crowded, competitive scene and a few surprise names earning longer looks as the team moves into OTAs and summer camp.
For now, the 11 undrafted signings give the Cowboys low-cost depth across several priority spots and a chance to uncover a hidden contributor. Keep an eye on Trigg in the red zone and Pete on the offensive line; how they perform in early camp work could go a long way in determining which of these rookies survive into training camp.
