The 2026 NFL Draft is over but, as Stephen Jones likes to say, roster building is a 24/7, 365 day a year kind of business. The moment the Broncos made the 257th pick, thus ending this year’s draft, all 32 teams began signing undrafted players to various deals in an effort to get the best remaining players that weren’t fortunate enough to hear their name called.
The Cowboys have already put together a decent pool of undrafted free agents, and you can find the live tracker here. Now let’s dive into what each player offers and what their chances may be of making the team.
Born and raised in Dallas, Jordan Hudson initially committed to TCU before transferring to SMU. His role grew each year, and he became the top receiver for the Mustangs this past season, though he only finished with 785 receiving yards and six touchdowns in a crowded receiver room.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic graded Hudson as a sixth-/seventh-round prospect, and the 33rd receiver in the draft, so getting him as an undrafted free agent is a bit of a steal. Hudson will have to work to make the roster, but he has the talent to be in the mix for the final receiver spot in Dallas.
One of the more tantalizing undrafted free agents out there, Michael Trigg was a bit of a shock to not get picked. At 6’4” and 240 pounds, his 34” arms make him a ridiculously long move tight end. He caught 50 passes for 694 yards and six touchdowns this past year despite playing in an offense that doesn’t typically prioritize the tight end.
Trigg needs to grow a little in the blocking category and hone some of his techniques, but it’s a passing league and Trigg is a weapon when used down the field. There were also concerns about his maturity in college, no doubt playing a part in going undrafted, but the coaching staff in Dallas – namely, Lunda Wells – likely have a plan to coach him up and unlock his potential.
Virginia Tech DT Kelvin Gilliam Jr.
Originally a Sooner at Oklahoma, Kelvin Gilliam Jr. struggled to see the field in his three years there and transferred to Virginia Tech. Coming into a program that would fire its head coach in Gilliam’s second season there, Gilliam managed to carve out a consistent role in the defensive line rotation.
That said, he struggled to produce: four sacks in two years with the Hokies and never topping 20 pressures in a year. He was a decent run stopper, but at 296 pounds he’ll be one of the smaller interior defensive linemen in Dallas.
Georgia State WR Camden Brown
Camden Brown spent three seasons buried on the depth chart at Auburn before transferring to Georgia State this past year. There, he became the Eagles’ top target in their passing attack, racking up 1,088 yards and 14 touchdowns on 66 catches.
Primarily an outside receiver, Brown showed an ability to use all of his 6’2” frame to be aggressive at the catch point; 22 of his 66 catches were charted as contested catches. He also had just two drops, showcasing strong hands, though Brown didn’t provide very much juice after the catch.
An absolute mountain of a man, Shiyazh Pete towers over everyone at a listed 6’9” and 322 pounds. He dominated in three years as the left tackle for New Mexico State, giving up just five pressures his junior year, but Pete struggled in his adjustment to the SEC.
He allowed 25 pressures and six sacks, both career worsts for him, in his lone season at Kentucky. Still, Pete has rare size and a lengthy résumé in terms of games played, though his height may necessitate a move inside to guard at the next level.
Sticking with the theme of large offensive linemen, Sidney Fugar clocks in at a hulking 343 pounds despite being “just” 6’5”. Primarily a left tackle over his college career – which included stops at Western Illinois, South Carolina, and finally Baylor – Fugar has also made multiple starts at left guard and right tackle.
Across two years as a starter at Baylor, Fugar gave up just four sacks and 24 pressures combined. He’s not overly athletic, and his weight played a part in him going undrafted, but Fugar has technical refinement and a motor that runs hot. He may have a shot to make the roster as a versatile depth option, especially inside.
DJ Rogers is a throwback type of college athlete in that he spent all five years of eligibility at TCU. He gradually rose up the depth chart, learning and growing each year, before becoming a starter this past year. Rogers finished with 319 yards and two touchdowns in TCU’s spread offense, which doesn’t often feature the tight end.
Brugler rated him as the 21st tight end in the draft and a sixth-/seventh-round prospect, similar to Trigg. Rogers has plus athleticism and potential, but his very limited production made him hard to bet on in the draft. If he can contribute on special teams, Rogers will have a chance to make the roster as a rookie while he continues developing.
Hoping to bolster their depth on the interior of the defensive line, the Cowboys snagged Tommy Dunn Jr. after three progressively better seasons at Kansas. Initially a role player, Dunn amassed four sacks and 21 pressures between 2023 and 2024.
He stepped into a starting role this year and ended up with three sacks and 18 pressures for the year. Dunn also took a major step forward as a run stopper, doubling his tackles and run stop totals while dramatically cutting down on his missed tackle rate. At 6’3” and 305 pounds, Dunn is a big body who seems to still be getting better, and he could provide decent developmental depth for Dallas.
Tulsa RB Dominic Richardson
Javonte Williams is the bellcow in Dallas, but running back depth was a sneaky need this offseason. Dominic Richardson will have a decent chance to provide just that. Not that long ago, in 2022, Richardson led Oklahoma State in rushing with 560 yards and eight touchdowns. However, the rise of Ollie Gordon prompted him to transfer to Baylor.
In his first season with the Bears, Richardson once again led the team with 519 yards, though just one score. He ultimately wound up redshirting the next year after four games due to a crowded position room, and then transferring to Tulsa. This past year, as the unquestioned starter, Richardson delivered with 1,060 yards and five touchdowns.
Vanderbilt LB Langston Patterson
The Cowboys may have found a starting linebacker in the Dee Winters trade, but depth is still a question mark there. Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson has the grit and tenacity to be the answer to that question mark, too.
A tackling machine, Patterson finished among the top two in tackles for the Commodores each of the last three years. He was their highest-graded run defender this season, too, playing an integral role in Vanderbilt reaching a bowl game this year after a magical season. Patterson was known as the heart and soul of that defense, and he figures to be a feisty competitor for a roster spot in Dallas.
