There's a decent argument to be made that watching highlights is a helpful piece of the scouting puzzle. It's a showcase for one's ceiling and a collection of quality plays, at times against high-level competition.
It's not my cup of tea. But if one were to watch Baylor Bears tight end Michael Trigg's highlights, they might come away with the conclusion that he's the best pass-catcher in the country.
Trigg is fun, productive, and is having a strong platform season. Yet, a one-dimensional skill set renders him one of the class's most interesting prospects.
Michael Trigg is elite above the rim
The crux of Trigg's game is his size and ability to win vertically, both over the top of defenses and smaller defenders. That's a bit curious given that he's listed at a hair under 6'4" and 246 pounds. I wouldn't be surprised if he came in a bit bigger than that in Indianapolis, but if nothing else, his long arms and ability to elevate help him exceed the expectations of his frame.
Trigg is largely optimized for this facet of the game. He has preternaturally strong (and I expect to confirm later in the process, large) hands that hold up during contact and are used with strong technique. He's more than capable of making one-handed catches because of that hand strength, and while that isn't a frequent feature, it helps expand his already impressive catch radius.
This 2-Catch Sequence from Baylor TE Michael Trigg is absurd 😂 pic.twitter.com/HJcWxVbfiX
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) October 4, 2025
This makes itself known in the red zone, where Trigg projects to be a difference-maker in the red zone. He boxes out defenders and battles through hand fighting, giving coaches an excuse to throw goal-line fades and adding gravity to a short-area offense. Trigg scored eight touchdowns in 27 games entering his senior season and has found the end zone four times through six 2025 contests.
To his credit, Trigg is also explosive enough to threaten the seam and wins in those same ways downfield. There are flashes of quality route running when square with apex defenders, and he finds soft spots in zones well.
Why Trigg could struggle to be a starter
There are parts of the field where Trigg is one of the nation's most dangerous players. The majority of it, though, shows an unrefined receiver who struggles to make a consistent impact.
For one, Trigg's size doesn't translate to blocking prowess. He's at his best blocking while bending and going low, but more often, he's getting lost in traffic. He frequently loses to linebackers, rarely dominates, and doesn't possess the power his frame suggests. Neither his upper-body strength nor technical base provides the potency to take on NFL linebackers and defensive ends.
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That weakness pushes Trigg into the slot, where his profile must be compared against quality slot receivers. Yes, Trigg offers more downfield viability than others. However, he isn't particularly sudden as an athlete. He doesn't have quite as much high-end speed as other new-age tight end prospects, either. Trigg is developing as a route runner, but has work to do to be deceptive on vertical routes.
After the catch, Trigg is violent, although he lacks the upper-level traits to earn manufactured touches.
Ultimately, Trigg is a big slot receiver who lacks starter-level traits to the underneath portions of the field, making his role at the next level uncertain.
Trigg's NFL projection
Subsequently, Trigg's NFL projection -- and the draft capital that shapes it -- remains in flux. A strong senior season helps his case, and there are reasons for optimism. His size is encouraging as a blocker, although it hasn't yet come to fruition. His final collegiate season will be his most productive, and there are real building blocks as a separator.
Until that development comes to fruition, though, Trigg looks more like a part-time player with lucrative flashes. Making plays in the red zone has value; this is a prospect who will score touchdowns at the next level. Whether that's the cherry on top of a complete game or his only path to viability is yet to be seen, but I'd bet on the latter.
As far as the 2026 NFL Draft goes, Trigg's skill set makes him an early Day 3 pick. His median outcome is a part-time playmaker, and those quality reps coming in high-value parts of the field -- up the seam and in the red zone -- are meaningful enough to earn draft capital. As the second tight end on a pass-heavy offense, there should be a runway to NFL development.
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