Can Cowboys Ex Dalton Schultz Be Top Tier With Texans?

Texans' Dalton Schultz hopes to rise in the tight end ranks with his new team

Legendary former Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson celebrated his 42nd birthday on Tuesday, but another H-Town playmaker did as well.

Texans tight end Dalton Schultz, now 27, spent his first five years in the NFL on the Dallas Cowboys but moved south to Houston in Free Agency this spring.

Houston signed Schultz on March 20 on a one-year deal. Schultz is considered to be among the top 10 players at his position by Sports Illustrated and PFF.

Schultz hauled in 57 receptions for 577 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games last season, which was top-10 in all categories among tight ends. In 2021, Schultz was sixth in receiving yards, third in receptions and second in touchdowns (four-way tie for first) among his position.

However, he'll be in an entirely different system. Bobby Slowik, the offensive coordinator of his new system, worked with 49ers four-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle while in San Francisco.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans was the defensive coordinator for the 49ers at the same time Slowik was there. Ryans brought Slowik onto Houston's coaching staff hoping to replicate what he did with the reigning NFC West champions.

Schultz's new system will be led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. A top-10 tight end switching teams and relying on a 21-year-old to throw is rarely an upgrade. However, Schultz already thinks highly of Stroud.

“C.J. is a bright man,” Schultz said during OTAs. “His attitude and demeanor are kind of understated at times and he walks through pretty humbled, like head down, soft voice, but you start to interact with him and the kid just oozes confidence.

Tight end is arguably the scarcest position in the league when determining average from great. An argument could be made that the top three at the position are light years ahead of No. 7-10. If Schultz, Ryans, Slowik, and Stroud rise to the occasion, the tight end may have a shot at heading into a higher tight end tier.

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You can follow Hunter De Siver on Twitter @HunterDeSiver

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