The Dallas Cowboys have a ton of free agents who will become eligible to sign with other teams soon after the end of the playoffs. With the offseason calendar sketched out, the team knows exactly how long they have to decide whether or not to try and sign their own guys, whether any of the unsigned will be worthy of a franchise tag or will be allowed to set his market price so they can choose whether or not to match.
Dallas has several names they must strongly consider, such as defensive end Randy Gregory and WR Michael Gallup. Perhaps the name that will draw the most attention, though, is tight end Dalton Schultz. Schultz set career highs this season in catches (78), receiving yards (808) and receiving touchdowns (8). That level of production, finishing one catch short of the team lead on a club with Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, has TE-needy teams salivating, including two AFC South squads.
In a poll of managing editors from across USA Today’s NFL Wire network, where each was allowed to claim one unrestricted free agent, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennesee Titans named Schultz their top target.
Here’s what Colts Wire’s Kevin Hickey had to say about Indianapolis’ need.
The Colts have many needs this offseason and one of their more underrated needs include the tight end position. With the chance of Jack Doyle retiring and Mo Alie-Cox being a free agent, the Colts will be on the hunt for a new tight end. They should look no further than Schultz, who has emerged as a strong option for the Cowboys in both phases of the game.
Emerging as a starter over the last two seasons in Dallas, Schultz has proven to be a solid receiving tight end. He may not be the most athletically gifted, but he’s solid at the catch point, is a savvy route runner and can work both in-line and in the slot. Edge rusher and left tackle are bigger needs, but Schultz should be high on the priority list for the Colts in free agency because he’d fill a massive need with immediate production. — Kevin Hickey, Colts Wire
Not to be outdone, the recently-eliminated No. 1 seed from the AFC could use Schultz’s skillset, too, according to Mike Moraitis.
One of the biggest areas of need for the Titans going into the offseason is at tight end, where the team doesn’t have a true every-down player who excels both as a pass-catcher and run-blocker.
Schultz would check that box. After having a breakout year in 2020, Schultz took another step forward in 2021, reeling in career-highs in catches (78), receiving yards (808) and touchdowns (eight). He’s also a great red-zone target with his 6-foot-5 frame.
Schultz thrived as a run-blocker as well, earning a Pro Football Focus grade of 69.4 in that area. The 25-year-old will be a hot commodity on the open market and should be at the top of Tennessee’s list of tight end options. — Mike Moraitis, Titans Wire
Normally well regarded for his blocking, that part of his game came under scrutiny as the year went along, but it’s not something outside fanbases would be paying as much attention to because he has a reputation as a good player in that regard. That will likely be a cause for disconnect between frustrated Cowboys Nation and hopeful fanbases of teams in need for tight ends.
Dallas supporters are concerned about the high price tag Schultz will command, with the Cowboys currently over the salary cap limit, but with several moves at their disposal. The idea of franchise tagging Schultz has come up, but that would cost Dallas just under $11 million.
Doing so would saddle the Cowboys way more in 2022 than signing him to a multi-year deal that would have a lower cap hit due to spreading out of any signing bonus.
If Executive VP Stephen Jones chooses to let him walk, it looks like there may be more than a few teams willing to give him top TE dollars.
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