After reviewing the wide receiver room in my last post, we've finally arrived at the strongest room inside The Star in Frisco. The Tight Ends. It's nice to finally have something positive to say for a change, right?
Which means this is probably going to be the shortest post of the 12 in the series. It also means, unfortunately, the embarrassment of riches at this position is coming with a price.
WHAT TO DO WITH DALTON SCHULTZ?
Dalton Schultz was one of the few bright spots in the passing game in 2022. He put up solid numbers, 57 catches for 577 yards and five touchdowns.
But he's a free agent now and the only way Dallas will likely be able to keep him is by using the Franchise Tag on him.
Because Schultz is going to command a lot of money for his next contract.
He's had three solid seasons consecutively.
He's only coughed up the ball twice in 198 touches. He's piled up 2,000 yards over those three seasons with 17 TDs. And, finally, he has been a reliable target for Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush.
If the Cowboys can somehow sign Tony Pollard to an acceptable contract, they can use the tag on Schultz. But if they have to tag Pollard instead, then Schultz will play elsewhere in 2023.
The Cowboys will not be able to afford his services at full price.
And let's be real here, as good as he's played the last three years, he isn't exactly the second coming of Jason Witten. They can afford to let him go if it means improving the roster elsewhere.
WHO TAKES OVER AT Tight End?
Both Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot showed a lot of promise in 2022. They are also very affordable.
Their combined cap hit in 2023 will be under $2 million. In 2024, it will be just over $2 million.
Schultz made just under $11 million last year. He'll make a whole lot more going forward.
In addition to their cap-friendly contracts, both players looked good in 2022. Hendershot especially seemed to get more playing down in the second half of the season.
If the Cowboys do lose Schultz to free agency, they might be just fine at tight end overall.
THE SOLUTION
To be honest, given the needs elsewhere on the roster, I'm inclined to send Schultz on his way. I'd then draft South Dakota State's Tucker Kraft. At 6-5 and weighing 255 pounds Kraft is a moving wall that defenders can't easily get through.
He has very good, soft hands. He also is coming off playing for and winning a National Championship. Bringing in winning players is going to be vital if the Cowboys ever want to start playing beyond the divisional round.
With that in mind, if Georgia's Darnell Washington is around in the third or fourth round the Cowboys could take him over Kraft. Though I doubt he'll drop that far.
Coming off of back-to-back National Championships, Washington would know what it takes to win. He's also huge.
What linebacker wanting to retire with his internal organs intact would want to tangle with a 6-7, 270-pound mobile mountain? Not me, and I played linebacker.
This is one position the Cowboys do not need to address in free agency, nor should they burn a 1st or 2nd round pick on.
Dear Jerry and Stephen, this room is just fine. Leave it alone.
