Cowboys Want New 'Top-5 TE'; Sam LaPorta as Dalton Schultz Replacement?

Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz appears destined to depart the team via free agency when the NFL year begins on March 15.

While Dallas saw its share of standout performers both on offense and defense, tight end Dalton Schultz was bogged down a bit by injuries.

After setting career-highs in nearly every offensive category in 2021, a nagging knee injury limited him to 57 catches for 577 yards and five touchdowns over 15 games. 

With Dallas having applied the franchise tag to running back Tony Pollard, Schultz seems destined for free agency — as well as a more lucrative payday outside of Dallas. 

Therefore, the Cowboys - even with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot on the roster - may need to restock the positional shelf heading into 2023. Indeed, the Dallas News has suggested that the Cowboys might want to add a "top-five tight end'' ... though the report is not specific about what path Dallas might take there.

Former Dallas scout Bryan Broaddus has an idea, though ...

So a gut feeling that the Cowboys are picking a tight end at No. 26?

In that vein, they would be smart to do so by shopping among what is being described one of the deepest tight end classes in recent memory. 

One player which should catch Dallas’ sharp eye is Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta. 

When it comes to work ethic, the ex-Hawkeye is second to none. LaPorta earned the team hustle award in 2021 and was Iowa’s offensive MVP in 2022. Not only was he named a permanent team captain, he also received the coaches’ appreciation award. 

In short, LaPorta projects as a great teammate and likely will be warmly welcomed in the Cowboys’ locker room. 

Still, it is his skill set which should give Dallas strong cause to consider selecting him with the 58th selection in the second round. 

LaPorta was among the most sure-handed pass catchers in the Big Ten in 2022. Perhaps even more impressive was his averaging 11.2 yards-per-catch due to his superior route-running ability.  At 6-4, 249 pounds, LaPorta is also a strong and serviceable blocker, though he could use a bit of additional training on sustaining his blocks in tight-yardage situations. 

Though he can be a notable weapon for quarterback Dak Prescott in the red zone, any deficiency in opposing team’s secondaries should allow LaPorta the opportunity to maneuver in the middle of the field, as well. 

With star wideout CeeDee Lamb often drawing the attention from opposing perimeter corners, wideouts Michael Gallup, have commanded the attention from remaining members of the secondary, namely slot corners and even safeties. If Schultz is given room to make plays in the open field, defenses will surely pay the price. Therefore, Prescott would be smart to utilize him in this fashion, as well as in short-yardage scoring situations.

The respective performances of rookie tight ends Peyton Hendershot and Jake Ferguson may have given Dallas the confidence to allow Schultz to test free agency. However, adding a player of Sam LaPorta’s caliber would help to ensure that it remains a potent part of Brian Schottenheimer’s offense for the forseeable future. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.

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