Cowboys snagging NFL's elite undrafted talent, including a standout tight end. Could this year's "eighth-round picks" rival legends?
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have long taken great pride in "The Draft After The Draft,'' that is, the signing of prospects who didn't quite make it into the official draft process.
And following the completion of this weekend's 2026 NFL Draft, they hope they've done it again with the signing of undrafted free agents - a series of "eighth-round picks,'' if you will.
Is there another Tony Romo, Drew Pearson, Bill Bates, Nate Newton, Brandon Aubrey or Cliff Harris in this bunch?
Here (with help from DallasCowboys.com and Dane Brugler) …are the players that are presently expected to sign with the Cowboys:
- Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor - He's considered one of the prizes of the entire UDFA field. He's 6-4 and 240 and athletic. Trigg caught six touchdowns last season. ... and may be more of a "big wideout'' than a traditional tight end. Colleague Dane Brugler notes that he might need to work on his "accountability'' - something to monitor as he slipped out of the draft - a surprise to some who think he might be the best UDFA in the whole NFL class.
- DJ Rogers, TE, TCU – Rogers finished his career with 319 yards and two touchdowns on 34 catches in his final season. Brugler called him an “interesting Day 3 developmental option.” And ESPN is reporting that the team gave him $200,000 in guaranteed money. ... a hint that he's 53-man roster-worthy.
- Jordan Hudson, WR, SMU – A product of Garland High School in Dallas, Hudson had 766 yards and six touchdowns on 61 receptions to lead the team. Said Brugler of the 6-1, 199-pound prospect: "The NFL talent is there.''
- Camden Brown, WR, Georgia Southern - Brown was first-team All-Sun Belt Conference and the conference's Newcomer of the Year. He totaled 1,079 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 65 catches.
- Kelvin Gilliam, DT, Virginia Tech - He played for three years at Oklahoma before transferring.
- Dominic Richardson, RB, Tusla - A 6-0, 207-pound sixth-year senior, he rushed for 1,065 yards and five touchdowns.
- Sidney Fugar, OT, Baylor - He was a part-time starter at left tackle; he's 6-5, 345.
- Shiyazh Pete, OT, Kentucky - He's a 6-8 and 309-pound Native American who picked up football in the seventh grade. Cowboys top assistant Conor Riley was at his Pro Day. -
- Tommy Dunn, DT, Kansas - He had a pre-draft visit with the Cowboys and is a 6-3, 305-pounder who played at Naaman Forest High in Garland.
- Langston Patterson, LB, Vanderbilt - Patterson's father tells the Tenneseean that his son signed a "high priority" deal with the Cowboys. In 2025, Patterson recorded 69 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
- DJ Withers, DT, Kansas - He's a 6-4, 300-pound native of Little Rock.
- Zach Switzer, RB, Presbyterian College - The grandson of former head coach Barry Switzer will be a minicamp invite.
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