Latest Articles

Dalton Schultz Signs Deal With Texans

By James Bryer

Posted on March 17, 2023

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

26-year-old tight end Dalton Schultz has signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Houston Texans, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

This is a huge signing for the Houston Texans, who arguably have the worst receiving group in the league. After trading Brandin Cooks to the Cowboys, the team has left a huge void in talent and experience.

After being selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draught out of Stanford, Schultz has become a key player for the Cowboys offence. After spending his first two years on the team as the backup, he will be thrust into a starting role in 2020.

Schultz has been targeted 94.2 times each season, caught 66.6 passes, and gained 666.7 yards per year over the past three years. He has 198 receptions over that time, putting him in fourth place among all tight ends.

Last offseason, the Cowboys had a chance to sign Schultz to a long-term deal, but they and he were unable to reach an agreement. As a result, Schultz played the season under the franchise tag.

The current boom in tight end contracts may be a contributing factor to the extended negotiations between Schultz and the Cowboys that date back to last summer. Since August of 2020, six of the highest-paid players at the position have signed contracts.

George Kittle, a standout with the San Francisco 49ers, signed a five-year, $75 million contract, the largest ever for an NFL tight end. David Njoku, who the Cleveland Browns were planning to franchise tag in March 2022, instead signed a four-year, $56.75 million deal with the team in May.

In 2021, Schultz was tied for second on the team in targets (104), second in receptions (78), third in receiving yards (808) and tied for first in touchdown catches (eight).

Schultz wasn’t quite as productive statistically this year, but he was still an important target for Dak Prescott. He played in 15 games and was second on the team in catches (57), targets (89), yards (577), and touchdowns (5).

Both a receiver and blocker, Schultz will be a valuable asset to the Texans’ offence this year. He has excelled at a position where only the absolute best players can consistently produce at a high level.

Houston had a need there, with only Teagan Quitoriano, Brevin Jordan, and Mason Schreck to fill it. Compared to that group and the now-departed O.J. Howard, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday after just one unsuccessful season with the Texans, Schultz is a tremendous upgrade.