Dalton Schultz: Situational Production or Something More?

[Cameron Giles]

Didn't see a thread on him.

He seems to have comfortably unseated Blake Jarwin as the starting TE in Dallas after Jarwin missed last season with an injury.

- Currently TE4 through Week 6 with a 31/359/3 line
- TE11 last season
- On pace for 87/1016/8
- Free agent after the season

Doesn't have a remarkable athletic or production profile, but keeps producing in a great offense.

Is there something more here, or is he an Austin Hooper-type flash in the pan of an average TE with great opportunity?

[Ice]

Didn't see a thread on him.

He seems to have comfortably unseated Blake Jarwin as the starting TE in Dallas after Jarwin missed last season with an injury.

- Currently TE4 through Week 6 with a 31/359/3 line
- TE11 last season
- On pace for 87/1016/8
- Free agent after the season

Doesn't have a remarkable athletic or production profile, but keeps producing in a great offense.

Is there something more here, or is he an Austin Hooper-type flash in the pan of an average TE with great opportunity?

He is easily a TE 1 in that offense. He was drafted in the 4th round and was primarily a blocking TE in college but has turned into a very good receiver. Prescott seems to really like him.

Don't see him falling back anytime soon. Dallas is so loaded on offense he will be open a lot so I wouldn't sell him today unless you get great value. Top 5-8 for the next few years IMO.

[Ruggenater]

I’d lean towards situational. This year he’ll likely continue to produce, but he’s on a Dallas team with a ton of other weapons for defenses to worry about. As you noted, unrestricted free agent after this year, and I’d be very worried about whether he can keep it up on a less talented team (assuming he doesn’t re-sign).

[FantasyFreak]

I’d lean towards situational. This year he’ll likely continue to produce, but he’s on a Dallas team with a ton of other weapons for defenses to worry about. As you noted, unrestricted free agent after this year, and I’d be very worried about whether he can keep it up on a less talented team (assuming he doesn’t re-sign).

Agreed. Anyone who's TE1 on Dallas can put up numbers, due to all the attention required from others. If he walks, it could be another Austin Hooper situation, and most likely would be, seeing a massive drop in production.

[MucBuc]

Situational due to the offense, I guess. And that may not be a bad thing. If other NFL teams share that view, they may not be willing to throw a lot of money at him, allowing DAL to re-sign him for cheap.

[MFundercover]

Both. If he stays in Dallas he will be a legit starting fantasy tight end for years. He's pretty good and Dak likes him, and he has his own role on that offense that won't go away. I agree if he walks hes just Austin Hooper.

I've been trying to sell in my league as I already have Kelce, but nobody will buy for anything.

[ArrylT]

He was a TE1 last year with Dak Prescott only playing 5 games. Put up similar fantasy production as Fant, Gesick and Andrews from Weeks 6-17.

I do not consider him a top tier TE in terms of talent or pedigree but anyone looking for a TE1 for a 1-2 window isnt going to care about that only the production which should be pretty safe floor with obvious top 6 upside on a weekly basis.

Also a good reminder that he is doing exactly what you expect from a decent TE - took 2 years to develop and has had good production once he developed and was given opportunity.

[Shcritters]

In a TE super premium league and couldn’t even swap him and a 3rd for a 2nd before the season… safe to say that value has changed.

But as was said above, nobody is willing to buy. Based on that I’m probably holding indefinitely

And from my understanding Jarwin’s contract has an out after this year… will be interesting to see if they can him and give the $’s to Schultz or let him walk.

[FantasyFreak]

He was a TE1 last year with Dak Prescott only playing 5 games. Put up similar fantasy production as Fant, Gesick and Andrews from Weeks 6-17.

I do not consider him a top tier TE in terms of talent or pedigree but anyone looking for a TE1 for a 1-2 window isnt going to care about that only the production which should be pretty safe floor with obvious top 6 upside on a weekly basis.

Also a good reminder that he is doing exactly what you expect from a decent TE - took 2 years to develop and has had good production once he developed and was given opportunity.

Last year the Cowboys D was epically bad. Cooper was WR1, as well, during that time. It's not the same game this year. He's going to be a viable TE as long as he's in Dallas. The issue is, he's not a great talent, and somebody else can step in and do it for cheaper. He may go elsewhere in FA, and that's going to most likely send his stats into possible Hooper terrritory.

[remedy29]

He was a TE1 last year with Dak Prescott only playing 5 games. Put up similar fantasy production as Fant, Gesick and Andrews from Weeks 6-17.

I do not consider him a top tier TE in terms of talent or pedigree but anyone looking for a TE1 for a 1-2 window isnt going to care about that only the production which should be pretty safe floor with obvious top 6 upside on a weekly basis.

Also a good reminder that he is doing exactly what you expect from a decent TE - took 2 years to develop and has had good production once he developed and was given opportunity.

Last year the Cowboys D was epically bad. Cooper was WR1, as well, during that time. It's not the same game this year. He's going to be a viable TE as long as he's in Dallas. The issue is, he's not a great talent, and somebody else can step in and do it for cheaper. He may go elsewhere in FA, and that's going to most likely send his stats into possible Hooper terrritory.

What defines talent at the TE position? Certainly it is not pretty combine numbers with questionable hands and poor blocking skills.

By talent, is Njoku more talented than Schultz?
Who do you think will get the bigger contract next year, Schultz or the "more talented" Njoku? I'd bet on Schultz as he is a more well rounded complete TE capable of doing his job.

Situation is more important than perceived talent at the TE position. Certainly, you'd hope Schultz stays in Dallas as his situation there is ideal. However, I'd argue Schultz would succeed elsewhere too if the situation was good...For instance, I think he'd do well in Seattle and better than the "more talented" Gerald Everett, because Schultz is a better NFL TE and will play more snaps and receive his fair share of targets.

If he goes to the Jets, because they desperately need a TE and have plenty of cap space, then you'd have to rely on the Jets offense taking a step forward, but at least the TE position will be utilized by the Jets.

[SteveMaddensShoes]

He was a TE1 last year with Dak Prescott only playing 5 games. Put up similar fantasy production as Fant, Gesick and Andrews from Weeks 6-17.

I do not consider him a top tier TE in terms of talent or pedigree but anyone looking for a TE1 for a 1-2 window isnt going to care about that only the production which should be pretty safe floor with obvious top 6 upside on a weekly basis.

Also a good reminder that he is doing exactly what you expect from a decent TE - took 2 years to develop and has had good production once he developed and was given opportunity.

Last year the Cowboys D was epically bad. Cooper was WR1, as well, during that time. It's not the same game this year. He's going to be a viable TE as long as he's in Dallas. The issue is, he's not a great talent, and somebody else can step in and do it for cheaper. He may go elsewhere in FA, and that's going to most likely send his stats into possible Hooper terrritory.

What defines talent at the TE position? Certainly it is not pretty combine numbers with questionable hands and poor blocking skills.

By talent, is Njoku more talented than Schultz?
Who do you think will get the bigger contract next year, Schultz or the "more talented" Njoku? I'd bet on Schultz as he is a more well rounded complete TE capable of doing his job.

Situation is more important than perceived talent at the TE position. Certainly, you'd hope Schultz stays in Dallas as his situation there is ideal. However, I'd argue Schultz would succeed elsewhere too if the situation was good...For instance, I think he'd do well in Seattle and better than the "more talented" Gerald Everett, because Schultz is a better NFL TE and will play more snaps and receive his fair share of targets.

If he goes to the Jets, because they desperately need a TE and have plenty of cap space, then you'd have to rely on the Jets offense taking a step forward, but at least the TE position will be utilized by the Jets.

TE is somewhat situational. From what I can remember, RAS scores are very influential in TE rankings, though. A TE needs to be a 9+ most of the time to be truly elite. Not so much a predictor per se, but a TE would be in the top % if he is successful.

Go look up https://ras.football/2019/12/15/dalton- ... ras-15641/ and compare him to other elite TEs. I think it's safe to assume he is a technically proficient TE in a good situation. I'd be looking to sell, though not at a huge discount, since Dallas likes to overpay the wrong people, especially pass catchers. If I remember correctly it's not like Hooper dropped in price when he was traded to Cleveland. If Schultz is traded I would sell before he actually PLAYS for the new team though.

[Cameron Giles]

He was a TE1 last year with Dak Prescott only playing 5 games. Put up similar fantasy production as Fant, Gesick and Andrews from Weeks 6-17.

I do not consider him a top tier TE in terms of talent or pedigree but anyone looking for a TE1 for a 1-2 window isnt going to care about that only the production which should be pretty safe floor with obvious top 6 upside on a weekly basis.

Also a good reminder that he is doing exactly what you expect from a decent TE - took 2 years to develop and has had good production once he developed and was given opportunity.

Last year the Cowboys D was epically bad. Cooper was WR1, as well, during that time. It's not the same game this year. He's going to be a viable TE as long as he's in Dallas. The issue is, he's not a great talent, and somebody else can step in and do it for cheaper. He may go elsewhere in FA, and that's going to most likely send his stats into possible Hooper terrritory.

What defines talent at the TE position? Certainly it is not pretty combine numbers with questionable hands and poor blocking skills.

By talent, is Njoku more talented than Schultz?
Who do you think will get the bigger contract next year, Schultz or the "more talented" Njoku? I'd bet on Schultz as he is a more well rounded complete TE capable of doing his job.

Situation is more important than perceived talent at the TE position. Certainly, you'd hope Schultz stays in Dallas as his situation there is ideal. However, I'd argue Schultz would succeed elsewhere too if the situation was good...For instance, I think he'd do well in Seattle and better than the "more talented" Gerald Everett, because Schultz is a better NFL TE and will play more snaps and receive his fair share of targets.

If he goes to the Jets, because they desperately need a TE and have plenty of cap space, then you'd have to rely on the Jets offense taking a step forward, but at least the TE position will be utilized by the Jets.

Schultz currently has 95% of his passes deemed catchable and plays in a really good offense.

Talent isn't everything at TE, but right now he's in a near perfect situation for a TE to succeed and doesn't have the overwhelming talent or skill to translate everywhere else. There's a long fall from that.

Gotta give him credit for maximizing the production, I'm just short on signs that nobody else could do what he's doing in the same role. It may not matter though if Dallas commits long-term, but after a big season he could be in line for a hefty pay raise.

[Space Cowboy]

He's every bit as good as a Hunter Henry or Logan Thomas. Maybe, just maybe slightly better. He's a smooth pass catcher with impressive YAC.

[SoftwoodGrampian]

Def a better athlete than his name and draft status earn him

[thebeast]

So here we are at the end of the season and Schultz is TE4 in full PPR leagues. Where are we ranking him for next year? Having watched his recent performances I don't think this is a fluke and I think he can still develop further. His situation is also great as he's tied to Dak for the foreseeable future and Dak seems to trust him in critical moments and in the redzone.