Honestly, the NFL draft is a cold business. One minute you're a four-star recruit at Alabama, catching passes in a National Championship game, and the next, you're sitting in a quiet room watching 259 names go across the screen—none of them yours. That was the reality for Traeshon Holden. Despite the size, the SEC pedigree, and a productive finish at Oregon, the 2025 NFL Draft came and went without him hearing his name.
He didn't take it lightly.
"I feel disrespected," Holden told reporters after the draft. He wasn't just venting; he was putting the league on notice. Now, as we look toward the 2026 season and his future with the Dallas Cowboys, the conversation around the traeshon holden nfl draft story isn't about where he was picked, but why he wasn't—and why that might have been a massive oversight by 31 other teams.
The Oregon Tape vs. The Combine Numbers
If you just look at the raw data, you might think you understand why scouts hesitated. At the 2025 NFL Combine, Holden clocked a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash. In a league that is currently obsessed with sub-4.4 speed, a 4.57 can feel like running in sand. His vertical jump was 32 inches, and his 10-yard split was 1.54. These aren't "bad" numbers, but they don't scream elite athlete.
But here is where the "eye test" and the "spreadsheet" start to argue.
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While his combine testing was mediocre, his "In-Game Athleticism" (IGA) was off the charts. Reel Analytics actually gave him a 90.5 IGA score. They clocked him at a max speed of 22.1 mph during a game. Think about that. That's faster than most of the guys who beat him in a track suit in Indianapolis. He’s got "football speed," which is basically the ability to maintain velocity while wearing pads and trying to lose a defensive back.
He’s 6'3" and 205 pounds. He’s a classic X-receiver. In 2024 at Oregon, he averaged 16 yards per catch. He wasn't just a possession guy; he was a vertical threat who caught a touchdown for every 7.1 receptions. He has this weird high-knee running style that looks urgent, almost like he’s angry at the grass. It works. He finds soft spots in zones and he’s a nightmare to press because of his sheer play strength.
The Elephant in the Room: The Ohio State Incident
We have to talk about it because the NFL certainly did. During the 2024 game against Ohio State—arguably the biggest stage of the regular season—Holden was ejected for spitting on a cornerback. It was a terrible look. In a split second, he went from a reliable veteran to a "character concern" in the eyes of many front offices.
Does one mistake define a kid? Probably not. But in the draft process, teams are looking for reasons to say "no." That incident gave them a very easy reason. Holden has since apologized and admitted it was a "stupid mistake," but when you combine a character red flag with average testing numbers, you usually end up as an undrafted free agent (UDFA).
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Why the Dallas Cowboys Were the Perfect Landing Spot
Sometimes going undrafted is better than being a seventh-round pick. You get to choose your destination. Holden chose Dallas, and the reasons were basically a "perfect storm" of familiarity and opportunity.
- The Junior Adams Connection: The Cowboys hired Junior Adams to their coaching staff. Adams was Holden's wide receiver coach at Oregon. He knows exactly what makes Traeshon tick. He knows the work ethic. He knows how to use that 6'3" frame in the red zone.
- The "Disrespected" Chip: Dallas loves a player with something to prove. From Tony Romo to Miles Austin, the Cowboys have a long history of turning UDFAs into stars.
- The Roster Gap: Beyond CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys' receiver room has been a bit of a question mark. They needed size. They needed a guy who is willing to get his hands dirty in the run-blocking game—something Holden actually excels at.
Holden spent the 2025 season on the practice squad, grinding. On January 6, 2026, the Cowboys signed him to a reserve/future contract. This is a massive signal. It means they saw enough in practice to want him in the building for the long haul. He isn't just "camp fodder" anymore.
What Most People Get Wrong About Holden's Game
People see a 6'3" guy and assume he’s just a "jump ball" specialist. That's not really his game. Holden is actually a very crafty route runner. He has a way of stuttering his feet to change direction that you don't usually see from guys that tall.
He’s a zone-beater. If a defense plays soft, he will sit in the hole and pluck the ball out of the air before the safety can close. His hands are "heavy"—when he catches it, it stays caught. He finished his college career with 100 receptions for 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns across Alabama and Oregon. Those aren't "accidental" numbers.
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Scouting Breakdown: The Good and the Bad
- The Strength: Physicality. He will out-muscle defensive backs on the boundary. If you're a corner and you don't bring your lunch, he’s going to bully you for 60 minutes.
- The Weakness: Initial burst. He takes a second to get those long legs moving. If a DB gets a good jam on him at the line, it can ruin the timing of the whole play.
- The "X-Factor": Run blocking. Coaches love this. He blocks like a tight end. If he’s on the field, the running back has a much better chance of turning a 5-yard gain into a 20-yarder.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're a Cowboys fan or a dynasty fantasy football manager, you need to keep a very close eye on the 2026 preseason. Traeshon Holden is the type of player who dominates in August. He’s bigger than the backup corners he’ll be facing, and he’s playing with the desperation of a guy who felt the "hurt" of being passed over.
- Watch the Red Zone: In training camp, see if Dak Prescott starts looking for #80 in the corner of the end zone. Holden's catch radius is his best asset.
- Special Teams is Key: For an undrafted guy to make the active 53-man roster, he has to play special teams. Holden’s willingness to block and his size make him a prime candidate for kickoff and punt return units.
- The "Year 2" Leap: Most UDFAs fail because they can't handle the mental load of an NFL playbook. Having Junior Adams in his ear for a second year in Dallas gives Holden a massive head start.
The traeshon holden nfl draft journey didn't end with a podium and a jersey. It started in the dirt of the practice field in Frisco, Texas. He’s already survived the first wave of cuts and secured his spot for the 2026 offseason program. For a guy who's "coming for heads," that’s all the opening he needs.
The league might have ignored him in 2025, but they won't be able to ignore him if he starts hauling in touchdowns at AT&T Stadium. Keep your eyes on the "disrespected" kid from Oregon. He’s got a long memory and a lot to prove.