Dallas Cowboys: Which pass-catcher has impressed you so far?

Dalton Schultz, TE

There was a lot of uncertainty circling the tight end position after the starter, Blake Jarwin, suffered a season-ending ACL tear. It was supposed to be a big year for him, being the starting tight end for the first time in his career.

After that unfortunate injury, 2018 fourth-round pick Dalton Schultz took Jarwin’s spot on the depth chart. It’s safe to say he has absolutely blown my mind.

In his first two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, he played 417 offensive snaps. Within the first four weeks of the 2020 season, he has played 225 offensive snaps. Cowboys fans never got to see much of Schultz leading up to Week 2 of this season.

Before this season, he totaled 13 receptions for 122 yards and no touchdowns. Already this season, he accumulated 18 receptions for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

Considering he has almost doubled his production from two years in only four weeks, you must be impressed. You should especially be impressed since he was not likely to have many opportunities this season.

His style of play is not flashy at all. Instead, he is a safety net-type player that quarterback Dak Prescott has come to trust. It is a similar style of play that Cowboys fans may recognize.

Future Hall of Fame tight end, Jason Witten played a similar role to what Schultz is playing now as he aged. In this role, you will see him pick up a lot of first downs. He currently sits at third on the team in receiving first downs with 13.

He is on pace to have a great season with 72 receptions for 876 yards and eight touchdowns. At this pace, he would have placed fifth in receiving yards and third in receiving touchdowns among tight ends last season.

It will not be easy for the tight end to keep up with that production. The good news is that Dak will likely continue throwing the ball a ton. That will increase the chance Schultz will have a great season.