Not all heroes wear capes, and not all fantasy football selections are league winners. If you pass on the top few tiers at the tight end position this summer, a perfectly reasonable strategy, you’ll get to the point in the late rounds where you’re searching for any baseline floor you can find.
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz’s point total for the season, or any week for that matter, isn’t likely the direct reason you have success this season. Still, the flexibility he provides you early on could prove to be valuable, and that’s why I have some interest in him in punt builds.
Dalton Schultz’s Fantasy Outlook
- Travis Kelce
- Schultz
Those are the two tight ends in the entire NFL who have hauled in at least 50 passes in each of the past five seasons. Yeah, yeah, 50 grabs might not be the most eye-popping of numbers, but they speak to an annual floor that exists with Schultz, a player forgotten at this point by most.
Next, the out from Dalton Schultz with Davis in quarters pic.twitter.com/1BXunRr1Lk
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) November 9, 2023
If we know a stable skill set exists, why not chase a strong situation? Nico Collins is a bona fide star, but outside of him, Houston is working with rookies and unproven players. We believe C.J. Stroud is a long-term asset at the quarterback position, and none of us fear this division, so why can’t this offense take a massive step forward in 2025 and serve as a tide that raises all featured boats?
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Did you know that, in terms of points scored, the 2024 Texans were closer to the Carolina Panthers than the top 10?
That’s embarrassing. That’s also something that I’m willing to bet against repeating. As underwhelming as Schultz was a season ago, another three points per game, and he’s TE12. Is that too much to ask?
Only six tight ends in 2024 posted more five-plus-target games than Schultz (Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Travis Kelce, Jonnu Smith, George Kittle, and Zach Ertz), a level of involvement that I think we can expect to be present this year.
Players like Isaiah Likely and Kyle Pitts might have more physical tools. Still, in this portion of fantasy drafts, if I’m drafting a player I plan on starting (you shouldn’t be drafting two tight ends in standard formats, so a selection of Schultz is a vote of confidence in him opening the season in your starting lineup), it’s “floor over more” for me. I want someone who will give me in the range of what I expect regularly, instead of a player with more volatility.
At its core, it’s a simple strategy. Players get less productive as the draft wears on; that’s how this works. If I can limit the variance when it comes to my lesser pieces, I give my expensive players a chance to decide my outcome (both weekly and annual).
Frank Ammirante’s Dalton Schultz Fantasy Projection
Dalton Schultz is a veteran tight end with a modest track record, coming off a 53-catch, 532-yard season with two touchdowns. While there’s not much upside here, one thing Schultz brings to the table is stability, eclipsing 500 yards for five consecutive seasons. Playing in an offense that should be pass-heavy, there’s a good chance he can get to 500-plus yards again.
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This makes him a decent asset in Best Ball, where you’re looking to add floor to your TE room. Schultz is virtually free in these types of drafts, so he makes a lot of sense to add as your TE3. If you took a shot on a younger player with more upside, like Tucker Kraft, I suggest bringing in Schultz as another dependable option.
However, if you play in redraft leagues, don’t expect much of a ceiling here — Schultz is an easy avoid. It’s still a crowded WR room with Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel, so you can steer clear of Schultz in these formats.
