In what has been a disastrous 2020 season, finding bright spots among these Dallas Cowboys can be somewhat challenging. But tight end Dalton Schultz is worthy of praise.
Heading into the season it was Blake Jarwin who garnered all the tight end hype for Dallas. He was a fantasy sleeper darling, showcasing his ability for the big play with Dak Prescott in limited opportunities over the last two seasons.
Unfortunately, Jarwin was lost for the season during the team's week one loss to the Rams, putting Schultz to the top of the depth chart unexpectedly.
Admittedly I was worried about Dalton Schultz getting TE1 reps, and was hoping for more four receiver or two running back sets to limit the tight end snaps as whole. Instead, Schultz has filled in very nicely, and has become a bit of a fantasy option himself.
Dalton Schultz is putting up a few top-10 numbers this season:
-Receiving Yards: 383 (ranks 5th among TEs)
-Total YAC: 175 (ranks 6th)
-1st Downs: 19 (ranks t-7th)#Cowboys pic.twitter.com/eifXtNMa8U— PFF DAL Cowboys (@PFF_Cowboys) November 13, 2020
Schultz has tallied 383 yards and two touchdowns on 35 catches this season, ranking him fifth in total yards among all tight ends. He's also 6th among tight ends in receptions, is averaging 10.9 yards per catch, and 7 yards per target. Not bad at all for what is a fourth or fifth passing option in this Cowboys offense.
When Dak Prescott was healthy, Schultz put up a couple monster games, getting loose in the middle of the field and off play action while the defense worried about the plethora of weapons around him.
Should Dalton Schultz be the unquestioned TE1 heading into 2021? No, he should not. After all Blake Jarwin should be back and ready to go. But what the team has learned during this rough season is that Schultz is good enough to work in two tight end sets, and to give Blake Jarwin breathers when needed.
All of a sudden, this Cowboys tight end room looks a lot better than it did back in the Summer.
