Dalton Schultz Leaves; Chiefs’ Travis Kelce Stunning Scouting Report on Cowboys TE

Dalton Schultz is leaving, but no less an authority than Chiefs superstar tight end Travis Kelce thinks the Cowboys have something special in rookie Jake Ferguson.

FRISCO - We have suggested in this space that one reason the Dallas Cowboys could part ways with standout tight end Dalton Schultz as he exits a franchise-tag season and again entered free agency is the presence on the roster of a rightful heir.

And at least in terms of being a believer in rookie Jake Ferguson, Travis Kelce gets what we're saying.

Schultz is signing with the Houston Texans. And what’s left in his wake?

Via NJ.com, Super Bowl winner Kelce recently was asked to talk about young tight ends who share his playing style. He didn't quite bite on that, but ...

“I don’t know if there are any that remind me of myself, but there are a few guys I’m excited about. Kyle Pitts (Falcons) being one of them. Ferguson down in Dallas and (Daniel) Bellinger over in New York.

"I’m excited to see how these guys manifest over the next few years and we’ll see where they can take their game.”

That's quite select company.

Pitts was the No. 4 guy taken in the 2021 NFL Draft, and is seen as a unicorn talent. Bellinger was a fourth-round rookie who started for the Giants this year finished his rookie season with 30 catches for 268 yards and two receiving touchdowns, plus a rushing touchdown - and then he caught another in the playoffs.

Ferguson played in 16 games for the Cowboys in 2022 and started eight of them. He ended the season with catches 19 receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns. In front of him, of course, Schultz put up the big numbers (79 catches for 808 yards and eight TDs) and could do it again in 2023 if the Cowboys are able to retain him.

Also, behind Ferguson, Dallas' fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is fellow rookie Peyton Hendershot, who came to Dallas undrafted but made an impression with his athleticism.

We're not sure it's worth the bother to attempt to project Ferguson as a "Kelce Jr.''; he is destined to go down as the most productive tight end in NFL history. But Kelce even knowing who Jake Ferguson is? As Schultz exits, that represents an impressive-enough note.

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