Patriots 'Team to Watch' for Signing of Texans' Tight End?

With Hunter Henry set to enter free agency, the New England Patriots could have a target for his replacement in Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz.

After making a statement of intention at the NFL Scouting Combine, as New England Patriots director of scouting and new de facto general manager Eliot Wolf said he'd be looking to "weaponize" the offense this offseason, we may know a potential target. 

According to a recent report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, that target is current Houston Texans tight end and soon-to-be free agent Dalton Schultz. 

"Dalton Schultz didn't get his big payday last year due to a deep tight end class, but it should come this time after a good season with the Texans," Fowler writes. "Enough teams expect him to clear $10 million per year. New England is one to watch here potentially, as is a return to Houston."

Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) scores a touchdown during the second quarter in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium.  / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

This time last year, Schultz entered free agency after spending the first five years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys. Despite being productive throughout his time in Dallas, Schultz signed just a one-year contract worth $6.25 million with the Texans. 

Now, after a strong season with the Texans, where the 27-year-old totaled 635 yards and five touchdowns on 59 receptions while playing in 15 games, he is once again set to hit the open market, barring a franchise tag. As Fowler notes, this opens the door for a team like the Patriots to target him in free agency. 

The signing of Schultz would make sense for the Patriots, not only considering their three-win season saw an offense devoid of playmakers but also because of the uncertain future of current tight end Hunter Henry. 

Henry, the 29-year-old who signed with the Patriots ahead of the 2020 season, is reportedly set to enter free agency after three seasons in Foxboro, where he was a primary target at times. 

After a promise to "weaponize" the offense from Wolf, the Patriots have the resources with over $100 million in cap space to make Schultz one of their prized signings. 

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