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Michael Trigg #1 of the Baylor Bears was signed by the Dallas Cowboys

There was an expectation that, in a deep class of tight ends and with a bit of a bad reputation working against him, new Dallas Cowboys pass-catcher Michael Trigg might be picked well below where his talent level appeared to dictate. He began his career at USC but moved on to Ole Miss after one season. It was with the Rebs that Trigg began to run into off-field issues–talk of missing meetings and run-ins with coaches. But Trigg transferred to Baylor and played well. He caught 50 passes for 694 yards last season, earning All-Big 12 and third-team All-American honors.

Still, his past issues apparently stuck with him, because despite being projected in the range of a fifth-round pick, Trigg went undrafted last week. The Cowboys wasted little time and spared no expense in bringing him in as a UDFA, signing Trigg to a deal with a $200,000  guarantee.

That, Trigg said, would give him an extra jolt of inspiration as he gets his career going.

“I’d say more motivating,” Trigg told DallasCowboys.com of going undrafted. “Just putting a chip on my shoulder, honestly.”

Michael Trigg Impressed at Workout

There appeared to be a chance that the Cowboys would pick Trigg, especially after tight ends coach Lunda Wells was spotted working with Trigg during his pro day. But the Cowboys traded out of the fifth round to move up to take Caleb Downs in the first round of the draft. Dallas already had no sixth-round picks, meaning there was only limited space to take a chance late in the draft.

But the Cowboys were fortunate that though they did not pick him, Trigg was still available after the draft. His contract is on the high side, making him one of the more likely UDFAs that the Cowboys will keep.

In fact, on Wednesday, Jon Machota of The Athletic wrote Trigg was the most likely to stay: “This tight end class was considered to be strong. While the Cowboys didn’t draft one, they added a pair after the draft that could have easily been their seventh-round pick. Trigg is a player Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert, gave a fifth- or sixth-round draft projection.”

Eyeing Cowboys Stars

Trigg said he has been watching Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, among others, since he was picked by Dallas. “I watched a lot of him and Jake Ferguson, George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb. But I definitely think I can help,” he said.

He also feels he has been helped by the sometimes-grueling predraft process, going back to the NFL Combine. Though he was not picked he benefitted.

Said Trigg: “The draft process was another great blessing and an opportunity to be in. I went to the combine, I got to meet a lot of great coaches, great mentors, be around a lot of great guys. Even at my pro day, being with coach Wells being more hands-on, more than the other scouts, you could see the intent he has and how he carries himself with his own players.”