Dalton Schultz’s dominant first season with the Houston Texans might have been a fluke. He can change that narrative entering the new season and Year 3 with Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud, but so much attention has been thrown onto other players that his persona could be lost as he continues to age.
In the latest ESPN rankings on tight ends, Schultz was snubbed a top 10 spot behind names like Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers, Detroit’s Sam LaPorta and San Francisco’s George Kittle. That was expected. But when asked to name the first five off the list, Schultz was passed up for names like New England’s Hunter Henry, Chicago’s Cole Kmet and Pittsburgh’s Jonnu Smith.
Schultz, who last season caught 53 passes for 532 yards and two touchdowns, was the first tight end listed also to receive votes, so he was considered by some at least a top 15 option heading into the season. The Texans are hopeful the 2023 version of Schultz can be reignited under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley this season so the contract extension looks more promising.
Here’s a list of the tight ends listed ahead of Schultz heading into the regular season, as ranked by NFL coaches, executives and personnel members.
The Texans open training camp next week at the Methodist Training Center.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texas Dalton Schultz snubbed spot in ESPN’s top TEs for 2025
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
