Top 5 draft picks Cowboys can select to replace Dalton Schultz

The Dallas Cowboys don't always get it right when they play hard ball. For example, they cost themselves far too much money when they played contract chicken with DeMarcus Lawrence and Dak Prescott. Then, they went the other way and folded like a lawn chair when Ezekiel Elliott held out and paid him a ridiculous amount of money.

As bad as all those negotiations went, they seemed to have learned something. Maybe.

Over the past two seasons, they've had to make decisions on Dalton Schultz. In 2022, they elected to franchise tag the starting tight end but then in 2023, they allowed him to hit the open market. That resulted in him getting a $9 million contract with Houston, which proved they were right not to fork out the $10 million-plus deal he desired.

They also planned well by bringing in Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot in 2022 and now have a loaded draft class to choose another player from. Here, we look at five tight ends they can target to replace Schultz.

Cowboys TE prospect No. 5: Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State

Will McClay, the Cowboys vice president of player personnel, has often steered clear of small-school prospects early in the draft — unless they're special. One player in this class that might fall into that category is Tucker Kraft from South Dakota State.

A 6-foot-5, 254 pound redshirt junior, Kraft looks to be a complete tight end capable of blocking on the line while also giving his quarterback a massive and reliable target. He's also incredibly tough to bring down once he gets a full head of steam.

Kraft would likely need to be a second round selection for Dallas to bring him in. If they're willing to pull the trigger, he could be a lot of fun to watch in this offense.