There are not enough good pass-catching tight ends to go around, and impending free agent Dalton Schultz might just be the best one set to hit the open market. This will be the second straight year the former fourth-round pick hits free agency, as he had to settle for a one-year deal with the Houston Texans last year.
After starting his career quietly with the Dallas Cowboys, the tight end first broke out in 2020, his third year in the league. After a career year in 2021 which saw him haul in 808 yards on 78 receptions, Dalton Schultz was supposed to be a free agent. However, the Cowboys used the franchise tag to keep him around for one more season. After a disappointing year on the tag, Schultz’s market crashed, forcing him to sign a prove-it deal.
Well, he proved it. Appearing in 15 games, the tight end finished the season with 59 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns. While he’s no Travis Kelce, Dalton Schultz can be a good second or third option in a passing attack, and the impending free agent recently made it clear that he wants to return to Houston.
“I’d love to be in Houston, Schultz said while on SportsRadio610. “There’s no doubt about that. I loved my time. Special organization, special quarterback. Love the scheme, love the coaches, I’ve loved everything about Houston. I’m confident that we can find some common ground.”
Dalton Schultz Gives Preferred Free Agent Destination
Dalton Schultz is not hiding the fact that he does not want a big free agent tour. In his perfect world, the player and team will agree to a fair deal that keeps him in town for at least the short-term future.
For what it’s worth, the Texans have the resources to fulfill this wish. Houston currently has a staggering $65.4 million in cap space, which means they easily have the money to pay Dalton Schultz and still attack the free agent market. The Texans need a player like Schultz, especially since the 2024 NFL Draft class is not considered to be strong at tight end.
This is all one long way of saying that Dalton Schultz probably isn’t going anywhere. However, free agency can be unpredictable chaos, and even though both sides are hoping for a reunion, there is a chance that Houston decides to go in another direction, or another team simply outbids the Texans for his services.
Possible Team Fits
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers desperately need another tight end. With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both potential cap casualties, somebody needs to catch the ball for Justin Herbert. Gerald Everett is a free agent and even if Allen and/or Williams return, neither player is the picture of health. Head coach Jim Harbaugh helped turn tight end Vernon Davis into a household name during his time with the San Francisco 49ers, and offensive coordinator Greg Roman relied heavily on tight ends during his time in Baltimore. Dalton Schultz is an ideal free agent signing, assuming the team has the money to bring him aboard.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots love the tight end position like no other team, and that might not change even with Bill Belichick out of the picture. The biggest problem here is that they don’t have a reliable tight end with Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki both hitting free agency. Even if head coach Jerod Mayo isn’t as enamored with tight ends as Belichick, they need as much pass-catching talent as they can possibly find. Armed with an absurd amount of cap space, the Patriots have the financial resources to sign Dalton Schultz as a free agent and still retain Michael Onwenu and go after a deep threat like Marquise Brown.
Tennessee Titans
Tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo was one of the most efficient tight ends in the league in 2022, but that success came on a small sample. The 2023 season proved that he is incapable of handling a larger role, as Will Levis desperately needed somebody to step up opposite DeAndre Hopkins. By signing Dalton Schultz as a free agent, the Titans can get Levis a more reliable receiver and allow Oknokwo go to back to a reserve role.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers effectively chose Hayden Hurst over Dalton Schultz as a free agent last year. In hindsight, that was probably a mistake. While Hurst is a fine tight end, Bryce Young needs a better receiving threat if he’s ever going to live up to his draft billing. Schultz alone won’t fix this offense, but he’s a good first step in the right direction.
New York Jets
The New York Jets have Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and not much else. Allen Lazard was a massive free agent flop, and Aaron Rodgers is going to need some more help if this team wants to make the playoffs. With the Jets possibly moving away from C.J. Uzomah, Dalton Schultz could be an ideal free agent signing to serve as the second or third option in Rodgers’ passing attack.
Main Photo: Thomas Shea – USA Today Sports
