Dalton Schultz is back for Round 2 with the Houston Texans. For those wondering, there was never a second doubt he’d be playing elsewhere in 2024.
“I wanted to be here,” Schultz said Tuesday following OTAs on returning to Houston. “I was very adamant with my camp on that. I felt it from when I got here. (Being) here just felt right, and then obviously, we had all that success last year. This is where I wanted to be. I wanted to be a part of something to turn the team around and build something special for the city of Houston. It was where I wanted to be.”
Schultz, who bet on himself after a five-year stay with the Dallas Cowboys, proved to be an essential part of the Texans’ offense en route to an AFC South division title. He was a security blanket for Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud across the middle of the field, hauling in 59 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns.
Freshly signed to a three-year, $36 million extension, Schultz plans on being Mr. Consistent for the Texans in hopes of securing a postseason berth in 2024. He’s been one of the NFL’s top playmakers, finishing top-five among tight ends in receiving yards (392) on plays that traveled 10-plus yards past the line of scrimmage.
Schultz also was one of 14 tight ends to finish with a stat line of 80-plus targets last season. Over his past four seasons, he’s totaled 88 targets and finished with four or more touchdowns.
But where does Schultz rank among the league’s top tight ends? Is he back in the top 10 with a consistent passer in Stroud, or was a one-year wonder down at NRG Stadium not enough to convince voters he’s still one of the better options on short-yardage situations?
Every analyst differs, but here’s Texans Wire’s top 32 tight ends entering the 2024 season. And yes, while Schultz’s production improved in 2023, everyone knows arguments truly begin at No. 4.