After playing out 2022 under the franchise tag with the Dallas Cowboys, tight end Dalton Schultz is expected to cash in this offseason as a free agent. The Cowboys opted to use the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard, making it likely that Dalton Schultz will be playing elsewhere in 2023.
The 2022 season was a bit of a down one for Dalton Schultz as he dealt with an injury early in the season. Combine that with Dak Prescott’s injury and his production fell off compared to what he was able to accomplish in 2021. However, there were stretches of the season in which he showed what makes him one of the better tight ends in the NFL.
On the season, Dalton Schultz still had a respectable stat line. He caught 57 passes for 577 yards and five touchdowns. In the postseason, he was one of the Cowboys’ better players, catching 12 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns.
There should be no shortage of suitors for the former Stanford product this offseason. He was one of the best tight ends in the NFL in 2021 and showed flashes of that once again this past season.
Dalton Schultz has been linked to numerous teams, such as the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins. However, the team that he has been predicted to land with in free agency is the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts are predicted to sign him to a four-year, $58 million contract with $32 million guaranteed. The fit makes a lot of sense as Dalton Schultz could become the new Dallas Goedert for head coach Shane Steichen. Steichen spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles before taking over the head coaching job with the Colts.
An above-average blocker and excellent pass catcher, Dalton Schultz would be a great fit as Steichen asks his tight ends to do a lot offensively. He would make for an excellent pairing with the emerging Jelani Woods, who showed flashes as a rookie in 2022.
