The Landry Hat
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5 most surprising players from the Dallas Cowboys’ 2021 season

By Brandon Martinez

Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones meets with outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones meets with outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cowboys, Dalton Schultz
Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz (86) runs the ball after a catch during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Dalton Schultz

Stats: 78 catches, 808 yards, 8 touchdowns,10.4 yards per catch, 47.5 yards per game

Dalton Schultz played a very big role in the Cowboys’ offense this season. He ranked fourth on the team in yards per game, third in total yards, second in catches, and tied for first in touchdowns. To say this is a surprise would be accurate.

We saw Schultz’s role expand drastically in 2020, but people didn’t expect to see this much production coming from the tight end position this season. The 2018 fourth-round pick played a pivotal role in the offense, acting as the security blanket for Prescott. If a play broke down or if nobody was open, Schultz was generally the guy to go to. This is coming from a guy who started as a backup in 2021.

With much of former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo’s success being in major part due to Cowboy legend and former tight end Jason Witten, I imagine the Jones’s saw the success that Dalton had this season and are trying to replicate what Romo and Witten had with Schultz and Prescott.

Shortly after the season ended, the team franchise tagged the former Stanford Cardinal ensuring he will be on the team next season. If Schultz continues to impress, we can expect him to be extended long-term after next season.

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