The start of the 2023 NFL league year will be here before we know it, and veteran tight end Dalton Schutz should be the top free agent at his position. Following his breakout campaign in 2020, the former fourth-round pick has established himself as one of the better receiving tight ends in all of football. Every team would love to have a pass-catching option like Schultz, but these five teams make the sense as potential fits.
Top 5 Dalton Schultz Free Agent Team Fits, Ranked
1. Dallas Cowboys
As is the case with most impending free agents, the most logical fit for Dalton Schultz is a return to his current team. The Cowboys clearly know how to use Schultz, and they believed in his talent enough to pay him $10.9 million on the franchise tag last year. Dallas traded Amari Cooper last year in large part because they wanted the money to retain young, talented players like Schultz. While he could leave anyway, look for the Cowboys to make an aggressive offer to keep him around.
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2. Los Angeles Chargers
If Dalton Schultz does make it to the open market, then the Los Angeles Chargers will likely make a run at the talented tight end. After firing Joe Lombardi, the team hired Kellen Moore, Schultz’s old offensive coordinator in Dallas. Needless to say, Moore knows how to utilize Schultz better than anyone else in the league, and the Chargers have a serious need for more pass-catching talent. With Gerald Everett likely to be cut, Dalton Schultz would be a perfect fit for this roster. Plus, from Shultz’s perspective, who wouldn’t want to catch passes from one of the best young quarterbacks in football in Justin Herbert?
3. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have needs throughout their roster, but they also have the resources to address most of the issues on the team. Currently holding the second-overall pick, the Texans are going to draft a young quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft. That passer will need a few offensive weapons to help him adjust to life in the NFL, and Schutlz is ideal security blanket for a rookie quarterback. Plus, if anyone knows the value of a good pass-catching tight end, it’s former New England Patriots executive Nick Caserio.
4. Carolina Panthers
Ever since Greg Olsen left, the Carolina Panthers have been desperately trying to find a starting-caliber tight end. The team extended Ian Thomas one year ago to the surprise of many, but the Panthers will likely cut him after a disappointing season and a regime change. D.J. Moore is great, and Terrace Marshall showed some signs of life last year, but the team desperately needs another receiving option to help whichever quarterback they inevitably select in the 2023 NFL Draft.
5. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have a lot of work to do if they want to be competitive in 2023. Fortunately, signing Dalton Schultz makes sense in both the short- and long-term for this organization. Kyler Murray isn’t expected to be ready for the start of the 2023 season, and even if he is, it’s safe to assume he won’t be nearly as mobile as usual. The Cardinals will need to find a reliable weapon close to the line of scrimage for Murray or whoever ends up starting in 2023, and Schultz would be great in that role. Looking further down the line, Zach Ertz isn’t getting any younger, and the team needs to start thinking about life without their reliable veteran.
Main Photo: Kyle Terada – USA Today Sports
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