Cowboys’ Lunda Wells Works Michael Trigg at Baylor Pro Day: What the Measurements, Mechanics and Move Mean for Dallas’ Draft Plans

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. Why the Cowboys’ Tight End Room Looks Settled — and Why They Still Scouted Trigg
4. What Michael Trigg Brings: Measurables, Receiving Traits and Catch Radius
5. How Trigg’s College Path Shaped His Football Background
6. Blocking, Route Work and the Development Gap
7. Draft Value: Where Trigg Likely Lands and How Dallas Could Acquire Him
8. How Trigg Would Fit Dallas’ Scheme and Playcalling
9. Comparable Players and Historical Precedents
10. Concerns That Could Lower Trigg’s Stock
11. What Lunda Wells’ Presence Reveals About Dallas’ Talent Evaluation Process
12. Likely Timeline and Role if Trigg Lands in Dallas
13. Real-World Examples: How Teams Developed Similar Players
14. The Broader Tight End Market and Draft Context
15. Final Assessment: Upside, Risk and Likely Outcome
16. FAQ

Key Highlights

• Cowboys tight end coach Lunda Wells personally conducted Baylor TE Michael Trigg’s Pro Day workout, drawing attention to Trigg’s rare physical measurements: 34.25-inch arms, 10.5-inch hands and a wingspan north of seven feet.
• Dallas enters the draft with a deep, experienced tight-end room anchored by Jake Ferguson, but Trigg’s length, catch radius and upside position him as a plausible third- or fourth-day target if the Cowboys choose to add developmental depth or trade up.
• Trigg projects as a Day 3, high-upside prospect whose primary selling points are receiving traits; his path to the NFL will hinge on blocking development, route polish and schemed opportunities that maximize his catch radius.

Introduction

A week of private workouts and pro days often produces more headlines than roster decisions, but Dallas Cowboys coach Lunda Wells’ presence at Baylor’s Pro Day was a notable signal. The Cowboys do not urgently need a tight end; Jake Ferguson returned to the Pro Bowl after a 2024 rebound and the club retained depth pieces. Still, Dallas sent a clear message by having its tight ends coach run Michael Trigg through drills in Waco. Trigg’s unusual combination of length and hand size creates an enticing catch radius and the kind of measurable profile NFL teams covet. For a franchise that balances immediate championship windows with opportunistic drafting, Trigg represents the sort of late-round, high-upside investment that can pay off with careful development.

This article examines what Trigg’s pro day tells NFL evaluators, how his skill set would fit Dallas’ current roster and offensive approach, where he projects on draft boards, and the realistic timeline that a prospect with his attributes faces. Details from Trigg’s collegiate trajectory — transfers through USC and Ole Miss to Baylor and 80 receptions across the last two seasons — combine with his Pro Day metrics to sketch a prospect who is not guaranteed but who is intriguing enough to warrant a closer look.

Why the Cowboys’ Tight End Room Looks Settled — and Why They Still Scouted Trigg

The Cowboys’ tight end depth chart reads like a solved equation on paper. Jake Ferguson remains the primary starter; his 82 catches for 600 yards and eight touchdowns last season underscore his role as a primary chain-mover and a red-zone presence. Signing Ferguson to a four-year, $52 million extension before the season signaled the front office’s confidence that the position is in a solid spot.

Behind Ferguson, the roster lists Luke Schoonmaker — a 2023 second-round pick — and Brevyn Spann-Ford, who has flashed intermittently but not consistently. Dallas also re-signed Princeton Fant, a veteran whose primary value is on special teams and as emergency depth. Taken together, the room blends proven production and developmental players.

Why, then, did Wells attend Trigg’s pro day and take a hands-on approach? Several strategic reasons explain the investment:

• Redundancy and contingency planning. Football rosters are fluid. Injuries, scheme changes and match-up needs can suddenly elevate the value of depth at tight end, and teams prefer a pipeline of prospects to choose from rather than starting scouting late.
• Identifying complementary skill sets. Ferguson excels in the intermediate passing game and the red zone. A prospect like Trigg offers a different profile — extreme reach and catch radius — that could expand certain schematics (seam and fade concepts, contested catch situations).
• Talent arbitrage. The Cowboys hold multiple mid-round picks and live in the market for value selections. High-upside tight ends often slip to Day 3; scouting them early allows Dallas to decide whether to pounce, package picks or stand pat.
• Relationship building. Coaching staff presence at pro days fosters direct communication with prospects, accelerating rapport and accurate evaluation of work habits and coachability. Trigg’s positive reaction to Wells’ attentiveness — “very personable,” “he critiqued everything I was doing” — matters in personnel assessments.

The presence of a positional coach at a pro day does not necessarily presage a selection. It does, however, indicate that the Cowboys see something worth evaluating in person. That alone raises Trigg’s profile among clubs that might otherwise relegate him to tape and numbers.

What Michael Trigg Brings: Measurables, Receiving Traits and Catch Radius

Trigg’s Pro Day drew attention not because he suddenly transformed into a polished, pro-ready tight end but because his physical profile is rare among his position group. Several metrics stood out:

• Hand size: 10.5 inches. Large hands generally correlate with catching security, especially on contested high-point catches and when catching in coverage or through traffic.
• Arm length: 34.25 inches. Longer arms translate into an expanded catch radius and better reach in contested situations. For tight ends, arm length helps both vertically (high-pointing passes and contending with defensive backs) and horizontally (extending for throws thrown off-target).
• Wingspan: longer than seven feet. Being in the 99th percentile among tight end prospects since 2011, by one account, is a differentiator. A longer wingspan aids receptions on outstretched attempts and complicates defenders’ chances of breaking up passes.

These physical traits produce specific on-field advantages:

• Expanded catch radius on seam routes and fades. With the ability to reach drives outside his frame, Trigg can snag balls that might fall incomplete for smaller-armed tight ends.
• Contested catch leverage. In the condensed space of the red zone, where small margins determine outcomes, wingspan and hand size matter on jump balls and contested targets.
• Mismatch creation. Length multiplies separation linguistically: even without separation via footwork, Trigg can convert marginally thrown balls into catches because his reach covers more area.

Game tape shows a player who has been used as a receiver rather than a full-time in-line blocker. Baylor deployed Trigg in route-heavy snaps and in positions that highlighted his receiving ability. He accumulated 80 receptions over the past two seasons, indicating a consistent role in Baylor’s passing game and the ability to function as a target group’s intermediate-to-deep seam threat.

That said, raw measurements do not secure roster spots. NFL success requires synthesis: route refinement, timing, blocking technique, stamina and the ability to translate catch radius into separation consistently. Trigg’s physical profile gives him a clear set of advantages, but his on-field role at the next level will depend on how those advantages integrate with the playbook and the blockers around him.

How Trigg’s College Path Shaped His Football Background

Michael Trigg’s collegiate story differs from single-program prospects. He transferred twice before landing at Baylor: beginning at USC (when that conference included the Pac-12), then moving to Ole Miss, and finally arriving at Baylor. That trajectory carried advantages and challenges.

Advantages:

• Exposure to multiple systems. Playing under different offensive coordinators and quarterbacks broadens a prospect’s understanding of route concepts, variations in alignment, and how tight ends are used relative to other positions.
• Experience with diverse competition. Moves from different conferences and levels of competition produce a wider sample of opponents, which helps evaluators gauge adaptability.
• Routes for development. Each stop provided a chance to refine technique and to find a role that maximized his receiving strengths.

Challenges:

• Lack of continuous development under a single tight-ends coach. Consistency in coaching matters for technical skills such as blocking, hand placement and release footwork.
• Perceived uncertainty in role. Multiple transfers can create a narrative that a player needed new environments to find playing time, although that narrative often masks positive reasons for change — playing time, scheme fit, or personal development.

At Baylor, Trigg found a sustained opportunity to target passes. The last two seasons’ 80 receptions indicate he earned trust as a receiving option. Coaches could point to his route discipline on intermediate seams, his ability to track throws over defenders, and the way Baylor schemed to isolate him in mismatch situations.

Evaluators also weigh intangible traits. Trigg’s reaction to Wells’ coaching — friendly, open to critique — indicates coachability. That matters because tight ends with physical gifts often need targeted coaching to become multidimensional NFL players.

Blocking, Route Work and the Development Gap

The most consistent critique of Trigg among evaluators centers on blocking and route refinement. Many mid-round receiving tight ends arrive at the league with obvious passing upside but require significant development to become reliable in-line blockers. The NFL still values tight ends who can stay on the field across all downs, particularly in traditional formations and run-blocking schemes.

Blocking development points:

• Technique fundamentals. Drive blocking uses hand placement, lower-body leverage and pad level. Trigg’s length can help reach and redirect defenders, but longer limbs can also make pad leveling more difficult if the hips and knees do not align properly.
• Strength and anchoring. Preventing defensive linemen or outside linebackers from pushing through requires functional strength. A longer-armed player can lock onto defenders, but without base strength he risks being moved.
• Assignment discipline. Especially on combo blocks and zone schemes, tight ends must execute precise reads and latch onto the correct target. That requires consistency as much as raw power.

Route-tree and receiving improvement points:

• Release and separation. Length can mask deficiencies in releases. NFL defenders will test initial footwork and hand-fighting at the line. Trigg will need sharper releases to generate separation against elite press coverages.
• Consistency with timing. NFL quarterbacks value tight ends who can hit their breaks precisely. That demands consistent route depth and footwork.
• Catch mechanics on the move. Large hands improve catch security, but catching while contorting the body or while absorbing contact requires repetition under NFL-level throws.

Teams that have succeeded in turning receiving tight ends into reliable two-way players emphasize early, individualized coaching plans. That includes strength and conditioning programs tailored to leverage long limbs, reworking hand placement and pad levels for run-block drills, and consistent reps against pro-level edge rushers. The Cowboys, by sending Wells to Trigg’s workout, signaled interest in whether Trigg would accept this sort of development path.

Draft Value: Where Trigg Likely Lands and How Dallas Could Acquire Him

Consensus projections slot Trigg in the Day 3 window. Different outlets vary, but examples include an NFL.com four-round mock that placed Trigg in the fourth round (No. 136) and Pro Football Focus listing him around No. 106 overall and as the No. 5 tight end in his class. Those rankings put him in the late third to fourth-round conversation.

The Cowboys’ 2026 draft capital, as publicly reported in the same coverage, is structured in a way that could facilitate picking a player like Trigg:

• Two first-rounders: No. 12 and No. 20. These high picks offer flexibility for trade packages, though trading out of the first round for a tight end in Trigg’s projected range seems unlikely unless packaged for a different positional priority.
• No second-rounder: absent.
• Third-round pick: No. 92. That sits near the borderline of where Trigg could theoretically land if his stock rises.
• Fourth-round pick: No. 112. If Trigg drops to this neighborhood, the Cowboys could target him without sacrificing premium capital.
• Three fifth-round picks: These could be used individually for depth or packaged to move up late in Day 3.

Practical Dallas scenarios:

• Select at 92: If Trigg’s pro day and private measurements nudged his stock upward, Dallas might take a shot at No. 92 using a third-rounder to invest in high-upside developmental talent, particularly if the team believes it can transition him into a special-teams contributor quickly.
• Wait for Day 3: Dallas could let other teams set the market, then take Trigg at 112 or later in the fourth, valuing the low-cost, high-reward nature of the pick.
• Package picks to move up: If scouting reports and internal workouts suggest Trigg belongs in the late second or early third, Dallas could use multiple fifths to trade up.

Historic precedent shows teams find value in tight ends after Day 2. Jake Ferguson’s ascent from a mid-round selection to a top-end starter demonstrates how positional coaching and scheme fit can accelerate a prospect’s impact. That blueprint matters for Trigg because his primary appeal is upside rather than immediate, full-time readiness.

How Trigg Would Fit Dallas’ Scheme and Playcalling

Dallas deploys tight ends in multiple roles: inline Y tight end, H-back, seam/crossing threat and occasional flexed receiver. Ferguson anchors the position with reliable intermediate route work and red-zone savvy. A Trigg-like prospect would supplement the offense in several ways, if developed correctly.

Seam and vertical threat Trigg’s extended reach and comfort tracking the ball enhance vertical and seam concepts. Quarterbacks can trust that even slightly off-line throws to the seam will be recoverable. That plays well in compressed red-zone windows and in split-zone tempo packages designed to attack linebackers with size mismatches.

Third-down slot and mismatch usage When matched against linebackers or safeties in coverage, Trigg can create favorable catch opportunities via his length. In third-and-moderate situations, a run-pass option that targets the tight end up the seam keeps the playbook balanced and preserves Ferguson’s role as a primary read.

Two-TE packages Trigg’s ceiling as a receiving threat would enable two-tight-end sets inside 11 personnel. Those groupings stress defenders between the hashes and widen passing lanes for play-action passes—especially if Trigg improves his blocking enough to stay on the field for more snaps.

Special teams value Late-round tight ends make rosters through special teams. Trigg’s size and hands could translate to coverage units or as an up-man on field goal protection, which accelerates roster value and snaps in rookie seasons.

Competition and role clarity The reality is that Ferguson’s contract and production make him the starter. Luke Schoonmaker remains under team control and is still being developed. Trigg would be a third-down/positional specialist initially, unless he accelerates quickly in blocking — in which case coaches could broaden his snap share.

Comparable Players and Historical Precedents

Projecting prospects against past players is imperfect, but comparisons help teams craft development plans. Trigg’s profile — long, large-handed, pass-first tight end — evokes several historical parallels:

• Contested-catching move tight end. Tight ends with extraordinary catch radii who began as receivers and converted to full-time blockers required significant coaching. Teams historically prioritized strengthening fundamentals while maximizing receiving snaps. This path mirrors the evolution of mid- to late-round pass-catching tight ends who became reliable contributors over time.
• Mid-round developmental success stories. NFL history contains tight ends who, after being picked outside the first two rounds, developed into dependable starters through coaching and schematic fit. Those examples underline the payoff of drafting a physically gifted prospect with raw skills and committing to a development plan.

Specific names are less important than the process: teams that invested in skill-development and gave early situational reps ultimately turned physical upside into production. The Cowboys have done this before — finding value in mid-round acquisitions and converting them into consumers of meaningful snaps.

Concerns That Could Lower Trigg’s Stock

Teams that rank Trigg conservatively cite several recurring concerns.

1. Blocking limitations As already noted, trigg’s on-field tape reveals a player who has not been a dominant run-blocker. NFL defenses will test his ability to sustain blocks at the point of attack against stronger, faster defenders. Day-3 prospects who cannot block often become single-role specialists, limiting snap counts and long-term value.
2. Route refinement and separation At the NFL level, separation often comes from subtle route mechanics and timing. Evaluators will question whether Trigg can consistently get off the line versus press coverages and create clean angles against savvy defenders.
3. Level of competition in certain snaps While Baylor provided a solid platform, Trigg’s transfers mean evaluators will parse his game against top-tier opponents to see if production sustained across higher levels of competition.
4. Special-teams snap readiness Roster spots for later-round picks almost always require some special-teams contribution in year one. Trigg’s ability to translate size and athleticism to special-teams units will be closely examined.

Each of these concerns is addressable with coaching. Teams invest in technique, strength and rep volume. The question is whether the prospect’s floor justifies mid- to late-round capital.

What Lunda Wells’ Presence Reveals About Dallas’ Talent Evaluation Process

A positional coach attending a pro day and conducting a workout signals a hands-on approach to talent evaluation. Lunda Wells’ interaction with Trigg offers several takeaways about how Dallas scouts, coaches and decision-makers approach player discovery.

• They value direct interaction. Tape and numbers tell a story, but in-person workouts provide nuance: how the player responds to coaching, body language, repetition and willingness to change ingrained habits.
• Staff-driven evaluations matter. The Cowboys appear to empower position coaches to vet prospects directly, ensuring that those coaches have firsthand input into draft boards and free-agent signings.
• They are open to developmental prospects. Even with depth, Dallas is willing to examine players who may not start immediately but who could grow into roles through structured development.

Trigg’s quote about Wells being personable and critical suggests the coach offered blunt, constructive feedback and that the prospect received it well. That interpersonal dynamic can differentiate prospects when teams deliberate between similarly graded players.

Likely Timeline and Role if Trigg Lands in Dallas

If the Cowboys drafted Trigg in the middle rounds, his rookie arc would likely follow a developmental timeline:

Rookie year: Special-teams contributor and situational receiving snaps. The primary focus would be on mastering blocking fundamentals, increasing functional strength and learning the timing of the NFL route tree. Gains in these areas would determine snap increases.

Year 2–3: Expanded offensive role in two-TE packages and red-zone schemes. If development proceeds efficiently, he could replace or complement rotational pieces and earn more third-down snaps.

Year 4 onward: Conditional on progression, a higher usage rate in the passing game and potential starting snaps if injuries or scheme changes necessitate.

This timeline assumes steady improvement and no significant injuries. Accelerated development could yield earlier offensive impact, but the common case for Day-3 tight ends is gradual integration.

Real-World Examples: How Teams Developed Similar Players

Teams that extract value from mid-round receiving tight ends tend to follow consistent playbooks of development.

Example A: Emphasize early special-teams value. Rookies that contribute on kickoff coverage, gunners or field-goal protection earn roster leverage. A rookie who can make plays on special teams often secures the roster while building offensive skills.

Example B: Isolate receiving snaps. Give the prospect plenty of reps in routes rather than forcing immediate blocking responsibilities. This accelerates production without overexposing weaknesses.

Example C: Tailor strength programs to lever length. Athletes with long arms benefit from tailored weightroom plans that focus on core strength and hip-drive to preserve leverage and pad level during run-blocking.

The Cowboys have historically converted some mid-round picks into above-expected contributors by blending these approaches. With a coach like Wells personally involved, Trigg would likely receive a structured plan that addresses his unique anatomical advantages while correcting technical gaps.

The Broader Tight End Market and Draft Context

Tight end remains a position of increasing strategic value. Teams prize reliable intermediate targets and athletic mismatches in a passing landscape that emphasizes spacing and matchup exploitation. The tight end market this offseason shows that teams still find starters beyond Day 2, incentivizing clubs to take calculated risks on prospects with upside.

Draft dynamics that affect Trigg’s stock:

• Supply and demand. If several tight ends in the class meet similar physical profiles, teams may prioritize other positional needs earlier, creating Day-3 opportunities.
• Trend toward hybrid athletes. Offenses continue favoring tight ends who can function as inline blockers and as H-back/wide options. Trigg’s best fit is as a receiving-centric contributor unless his blocking significantly advances during rookie training.
• Mock draft variations. The variance across pundit boards creates windows for teams to target Trigg at different points in the draft. Dallas’ mid-round picks and multiple fifths give it flexibility.

Given this market, Trigg’s athletic profile likely pushes his baseline upward among teams that prize size and catch radius. The deciding question becomes how high a team values length relative to immediate blocking competence.

Final Assessment: Upside, Risk and Likely Outcome

Michael Trigg is a classic “upside over polish” prospect. His physical attributes — notably arm length, hand size and wingspan — are clear advantages that provide a plausible path to relevance in the NFL, especially as a seam and contested-catch weapon. Those measures elevate his ceiling above a typical Day-3 target.

Risks are manageable but real. The blocking gap, the need for refined releases, and the translation of college production across different competition levels temper enthusiasm. For teams willing to invest developmental resources and patience, Trigg offers a reasonably priced upside bet.

Dallas’ decision calculus will hinge on positional priorities, draft day value and whether the Cowboys view Trigg as a development project whose skill set complements their existing tight end usage. If they do draft him, expect a careful, coach-driven timeline focused on special teams, route polish and progressive blocking instruction — exactly the environment a player like Trigg needs to take advantage of his rare physical tools.

FAQ

Q: Does the Cowboys’ interest at Trigg’s Pro Day mean they will draft him? A: Coaching staff attendance at a pro day indicates interest, not inevitability. Teams routinely send position coaches to evaluate prospects directly. Dallas’ presence signals that Trigg is on their radar, but actual selection depends on draft flow, team needs and how other prospects are valued on draft day.

Q: How much does arm length and hand size matter for a tight end? A: Arm length and hand size matter because they expand catch radius and improve the ability to secure high or contested throws. These traits are advantageous in the red zone and on vertical routes. However, they must pair with route precision, timing and blocking technique to translate into consistent NFL production.

Q: Could Trigg play full-time as a rookie if drafted? A: It is unlikely he would start as a full-time in-line blocker immediately. Most prospects with a receiving-first profile and limited blocking tape begin as situational players and special-teams contributors, expanding their role as technique and strength improve.

Q: Where is Trigg projected to be drafted? A: Consensus projections place him in the late third through fourth round range, with some variance. PFF placed him around No. 106 overall and as the No. 5 tight end; a four-round NFL.com mock had him at No. 136. Pro days and private workouts can move a player a few spots in either direction.

Q: What would a successful development plan for Trigg look like? A: A successful plan would emphasize strength training to improve leverage and anchoring, repeated run-block technique sessions focused on pad level and hand placement, route-tree refinement for releases and timing, and early special-teams integration to secure a roster spot while offensive skills mature.

Q: How would Trigg’s skill set complement Jake Ferguson? A: Ferguson is a dependable primary tight end who excels in the intermediate passing game and in red-zone efficiency. Trigg’s length and catch radius would offer a complementary vertical and contested-catch dimension, creating mismatches in two-TE sets and providing an additional option on seam and fade concepts.

Q: Is it common for tight ends to develop into complete players after being drafted late? A: Yes. The tight end position has numerous examples of players drafted in middle-to-late rounds who developed into reliable starters through coaching, maturity and role-specific rep opportunities. Teams that invest in technique and give well-defined usage opportunities can accelerate a prospect’s transition.

Q: What does Trigg’s transfer history indicate about his readiness? A: Transfers can be either a sign of searching for opportunity or a positive response to seeking the best fit. Trigg’s path — USC to Ole Miss to Baylor — ultimately led to a significant role and production at Baylor. Evaluators will parse whether the transfers resulted in broader experience and growth, which can help in his transition to the NFL.

Q: How will the Cowboys’ draft capital affect the likelihood they select Trigg? A: Dallas’ mid-round picks (No. 92 in the third, No. 112 in the fourth and three fifth-round selections) offer flexibility to target Trigg without spending premium picks. If the Cowboys view Trigg as a high-upside developmental piece, they have the capital to acquire him in his projected draft window.

Q: What immediate impact should fans expect if Trigg joins the Cowboys? A: Expect limited immediate offensive snaps with contributions primarily on special teams and in situational receiving packages. If his blocking progresses quickly, his role could expand into two-TE sets and red-zone work in year two.