Undrafted free agent wide receiver Traeshon Holden knew he wanted to sign with the Dallas Cowboys for two reasons.
Firstly, it was an opportunity to reunite with his Oregon position coach, Junior Adams, who joined Brian Schottenheimer’s coaching staff earlier in the offseason. Secondly, even Holden knows about the Cowboys’ wide receiver needs.
“That was another reason why I decided to come, too,” Holden told reporters at rookie minicamp. “They didn’t draft a guy. I feel like I was one of the best receivers, and now I get to show everybody that I am.” 0:06 / 3:37 The Cowboys CLEARLY Have High Hopes For This UDFA Signee…The Cowboys CLEARLY Have High Hopes For This UDFA Signee… Read More
Holden, a 6-foot-2 target with physicality, says he carries a chip on his shoulder after seeing 257 players be drafted and not him. He feels it “everyday.” Though he considers himself a hard-worker already, he told the media he’s ramping it up as a result of going undrafted as he tries to make NFL teams regret not picking him.
“I’ve always been the type to just work hard, but I feel disrespected,” Holden said. “So now it’s time to make it happen.”
This offseason and preseason, Holden will be looking to earn a spot on the Cowboys roster despite going undrafted. To do so, he’ll have to be crafty once training camp kicks off. For many analysts, it was his lack of speed that cost him the opportunity of hearing his name called at the 2025 NFL Draft.
“He was the third WR in both 2023 and 2024 with solid numbers, but one thing was holding him back: lack of top end speed,” explained A to Z Sports draft expert Tyler Forness. “Holden does have really nice size, length, and chops as a blocker to be a possession receiver and special teamer, but the lack of plus-athleticism puts a ceiling on him as nothing more than a potential WR3.”
The good news for Holden is the Cowboys haven’t shied away from betting on rookie UDFAs in the past. And with a new coaching staff in place—one in which he’s likely to have a sponsor in Adams—it’s a clean slate for many of the young receivers on the team.