Dalton Schultz

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		124	405	4,066	27
2025		17	82	777	3
2024		17	53	532	2
2023		15

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Performance versus salary tier earns Dalton Schultz a B- Contract Value Index, with cap structure shaping the verdict. The one-year, $12.6M deal reflects a tight-end market where above-average starters at his production level typically command mid-tier AAV, and Schultz's 2025 season—777 receiving yards across 17 games—aligns squarely with that tier: reliable, consistent, and void of explosive upside. His B+ performance grade validates the Texans' organizational confidence in him as a starter, though the accompanying B sentiment underscores that he's perceived as a complementary piece rather than a cornerstone investment. At 29 years old in his eighth season, Schultz occupies the established-veteran phase where durability and role consistency matter more than development trajectory, which actually stabilizes the value proposition—there's no expectation of growth, only dependable execution. The NFL-mandated contract restructuring requirement clouds what should have been a straightforward one-year commitment, introducing unnecessary administrative friction that slightly suppresses the value grade despite leaving Schultz's reputation unscathed. For a team in the AFC South playoff picture with a 12-5 record, this deal represents pragmatic roster construction: paying market rate for a known quantity who earns his paycheck and his teammates' trust without overcommitting resources that could address roster gaps.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Dalton's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Dalton Schultz is an eight-year veteran tight end who has carved out a reliable role as a possession weapon and red-zone target in Houston's offense. Earning a B+ grade overall, Schultz ranks among the more dependable starters at his position entering his age-29 season. His career body of work reflects a player who has consistently contributed at a high level, even as his current campaign shows some fluctuation. His 9.48 yards per reception sits right at the NFL average of 9.19, confirming his identity as a chain-mover rather than a big-play threat. The standout number, however, is his receiving yards per game — 45.7 — which surpasses the elite threshold of 44.19, underscoring his consistent volume and target share. His 0.18 receiving touchdowns per game trails the elite mark of 0.47, signaling that red-zone conversion remains an area with room for growth. Schultz's season trend tells a nuanced story — he graded out at B in 2023, dipped to a C+ in 2024, and has partially rebounded to a B- this season. At 29 with eight seasons of experience, he projects as a steady mid-tier starter with a realistic ceiling of a low-end TE1 in the right scheme. Watch for whether Houston's offensive evolution under C.J. Stroud unlocks more seam-route opportunities that could push his per-reception value closer to elite range.

How Dalton Compares at the Position

Dalton Schultz ranks 19th of 164 graded tight ends by performance. That slots Dalton between Dalton Kincaid (B+) just ahead and Oronde Gadsden (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Dalton Schultz enters 2026 as a reliable mid-tier tight end whose perception remains grounded in his role as a consistent contributor rather than an elite playmaker. The one-year, $12.6M extension signals Houston's confidence in his stability, and his public support of C.J. Stroud demonstrates leadership value beyond statistics. However, the need for contract restructuring following the NFL's salary cap ruling introduces a subtle undercurrent of financial constraint, suggesting the Texans view him as a solid piece rather than a cornerstone investment. Media coverage has been largely procedural and neutral—focused on roster logistics and camp participation rather than highlighting standout performance or accolades. Overall, Schultz's perception reflects a journeyman tight end in his eighth year: dependable, professional, and valued, but without the trajectory or acclaim that would elevate him into the upper tier of fan or media regard.