The Houston Texans signed free agent TE Dalton Schultz in hopes of providing a reliable target for rookie QB C.J. Stroud. Is Schultz flying under the fantasy football radar again heading into 2023?
Behind in research? Get a trade offer in your dynasty or redraft league? Not sure who to start or sit this week? Leverage PFN’s FREE fantasy tools — our Fantasy Football Draft Kit, Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and Calculator, and Start/Sit Optimizer! Put the finishing touch on your A+ draft with 1 of our 425+ fantasy football team names.
Dalton Schultz’s Fantasy Outlook for the 2023 NFL Season
The Texans’ passing offense is a complete mystery heading into the upcoming NFL season.
What can we expect from rookie Stroud? Who’s the best bet to lead the team in targets? Will Houston’s passing offense produce a top-20 option at WR or TE?
Well, if last season is meant to be any sort of indicator, the outlook doesn’t look great.
The top fantasy producer on the Texans’ offense at wide receiver was Brandin Cooks, who finished the season as the WR49 in PPR formats. At tight end, Jordan Akins finished as the TE19.
But 2023 is a new year, and the Texans have a new tight end in the mix for this season…
What. A. Route. By Dalton Schultz 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/FSIBXBPtrY
— Apollo Texans (@ApolloTexans) August 28, 2023
None other than Dalton Schultz. Oddly enough, Schultz has been one of the most consistent fantasy producers at the TE position over the last three seasons.
Dalton Schultz Fantasy Finishes in PPR Formats
2020: TE12
2021: TE3
2022: TE11
Schultz has seen a minimum of 89 targets in each of the last three seasons while competing with CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper for looks during that time frame.
Well, if he could produce three straight top-12 seasons as the second or third wheel in Dallas’ passing game, what should we expect from him as a member of the Texans?
It’s worth reminding you that Houston just traded their leading wide receiver from the past two years and currently have a WR room that features an aging Robert Woods, Nico Collins, and a handful of younger, unproven pass catchers.
The Texans essentially have a vacant leading role in this passing game. When you look at Schultz’s track record of production, is it really that farfetched to think he could set a career-high in targets this season?
MORE: 5 Players To Buy Now Before the 2023 NFL Season in Dynasty
Schultz’s current career-high for targets in a season was 104 back in 2021, and he finished the year as the TE3 overall.
It may be hard for most to get excited about a passing offense that is led by a rookie QB devoid of proven playmakers, but a reliable option at TE could equal a very reliable weekly floor at a position that is hard to find consistent producers.
Is Schultz a Good Fantasy Pick?
Schultz may not get the biggest reaction from your league-mates on draft day, but he’s a proven productive pass catcher in an offense in big need of a leading man.
Schultz isn’t a great bet to finish as the TE3 again, but if Tyler Higbee can finish as the TE6 with 108 targets, 72 receptions, and just three TDs … don’t we think Schultz is capable of producing a similar stat line to finish inside the top 12 at the TE position this season?
My answer is yes. Schultz is a quality late-round tight end option who you should feel comfortable investing in on draft day.
- PFN Consensus: 127th overall
- ADP: 129th overall