Something is up at tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, and it could lead to more than one roster surprise

Michael Trigg (Baylor) signed for a guaranteed $280,000 per Spotrac. The amount made him the sixth-highest paid UDFA across the league. D.J. Rogers (TCU) closely followed at $200,000 guaranteed. No other Cowboys UDFA received $200,000 in guaranteed money this offseason.

When it comes to undrafted free agency, money reveals plenty. For the Cowboys, the highest-paid undrafted rookies in each class have often been the ones with a legit chance of making the roster. Spann-Ford is an example but not the only one. Fullback Hunter Luepke was one of the highest-paid UDFAs of his class, and he also made the team as a rookie.

There’s a reason Dallas spent at the position, and it’s that they see roster upside in the players.

The signings followed multiple reports suggesting the Cowboys were interested in drafting a tight end at some point in Day 3.

Assuming Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford both make the roster, only one of Trigg and Rogers is likely to survive cuts in late August. But at this point, I wouldn’t say Schoonmaker is a roster lock.

Why Cowboys could have two UDFAs make the 53

To be clear, I’m not betting on Schoonmaker being cut. He made my Cowboys 53-man roster projection following the draft. All I’m saying is he needs to show something more.

In three years, Schoonmaker has played 17 games each season and has averaged 16 catches and 146 receiving yards per year. He scored three total touchdowns in that span. That’s not enough.

For Schoonmaker to be left out, though, the Cowboys would likely have both Trigg and Rogers on the team. There’s a reason to believe that could happen: They’re both very different kinds of tight ends.

Trigg was more of a “big slot” at college, playing most of his career unattached from the offensive line. Rogers, meanwhile, is more of a traditional Y-tight end. The Cowboys have favored the latter over the years yet paid Trigg more money.

Ultimately, financials provide hints. But the football field will reveal more about where these rookies stand. But there’s no question tight end is bound for multiple battles. We should expect the unexpected.