Drafted by Cowboys 4th Round Pick - TE Dalton Schultz, Stanford (137th pick)

[Kaiser]

Brugler has him as 4th round pick, 6’5 244, runs a 4.75. Definitely a developmental project but can block in the NFL right away. Has all the intangibles.


STRENGTHS: Big-boned with a moldable frame…mean-spirited blocker…looks to engage defenders and run his feet to create movement…uses body angles to seal outside run lanes…square blocking base to hold up in pass protection…smooth release and quickly finds his top route speed…reliable hands to secure catches in a crowd…competes with a finishing mentality as a pass-catcher and blocker…experienced in a pro-style scheme and blocking inline won’t be a new concept…comes from a program known for producing NFL-quality tight ends.

WEAKNESSES: Needs to continue and develop his strength…lack of core power diminishes his sustain skills…leans into blocks and loses balance, allowing defenders to dispose of him…head ducker, falling off blocks…inconsistent results as a second-level blocker…bland at the top of routes…needs to improve his route leverage to get defenders leaning…lacks sudden athleticism to create spacing…limited creativity after the catch…not a big-play threat with only one career catch over 25 yards…below average career production with only 55 receptions.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Stanford, Schultz lined up inline, wing and in the slot and was groomed in David Shaw’s pro-style offense – since Shaw took over as head coach, Stanford has produced four tight ends drafted in the first four rounds (Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz, Levine Toilolo, Austin Hooper). Before moving to tight end in high school, Schultz was raised as an offensive lineman and that competitive mentality is evident, but his limited inline power and hip snap hurt his sustain skills. Although he was underutilized as a pass-catcher in the Cardinal run-first attack (never finished better than fifth on the team in catches in a season), he has dependable ball skills to finish in a crowd. In the mold of several Stanford tight ends before him, Schultz lacks a true distinguishing trait with ordinary athleticism and strength, but he is assignment sound, tough and can be an asset for a NFL offense.

GRADE: 4th Round

 

[Cowpolk]

 

[CyberB0b]

Scrub

 

[TwoDeep3]

Overview
Schultz is a Y-tight end with the ability as a run blocker to help bolster a team's rushing attack very quickly. While his frame could still use more mass, he plays with good technique and play strength at the point of attack and shows an ability to impose his will upon edge defenders if they half-step into the rep. Schultz is a capable and reliable target underneath, but his living will depend on how he impacts the running game. Schultz's limited catch production could drop him a round, but he should be a solid, early starter.
Strengths

• Very tenacious and tough as a blocker
• Well-schooled in blocking fundamentals
• Leaned on as vital part of the run blocking unit
• Initial hand placement is good
• Ability to sustain and finish
• Improves positioning after contact and can generate some movement at point of attack without a double team
• Gave it to USC's Rasheem Green on more than a couple of snaps when matched head to head
• Sinks hips into breaks
• Opens sharply on underneath routes to look for the throw
• Has good feel for attacking the voids against zone coverage
• Will shut routes down early to keep throwing window open for quarterback
• Physical in creating space at top of his routes
• Short area footwork is adequate
• Has ability to become a reliable target over the middle and in traffic

Weaknesses

• Receiving production has been underwhelming throughout his career
• Routes can be monotonous and predictable
• Allows too much leeway for defenders to play the catch point
• Needs to play bigger in space and use his frame
• Lacks speed to attack over top
• Struggles to separate against man coverage on intermediate routes
• Could have somewhat limited workspace as NFL pass catcher
• Not as physical after the catch
• Slows feet into contact and won't always fall forward
• Strikes first, but will lose initial hand placement when long defenders get into him
• Can improve approach angles to help keep angle blocks centered

 

[RS12]

 

[NeonNinja]

 

[darthseinfeld]

Brugler has him as 4th round pick, 6’5 244, runs a 4.75. Definitely a developmental project but can block in the NFL right away. Has all the intangibles.


STRENGTHS: Big-boned with a moldable frame…mean-spirited blocker…looks to engage defenders and run his feet to create movement…uses body angles to seal outside run lanes…square blocking base to hold up in pass protection…smooth release and quickly finds his top route speed…reliable hands to secure catches in a crowd…competes with a finishing mentality as a pass-catcher and blocker…experienced in a pro-style scheme and blocking inline won’t be a new concept…comes from a program known for producing NFL-quality tight ends.

WEAKNESSES: Needs to continue and develop his strength…lack of core power diminishes his sustain skills…leans into blocks and loses balance, allowing defenders to dispose of him…head ducker, falling off blocks…inconsistent results as a second-level blocker…bland at the top of routes…needs to improve his route leverage to get defenders leaning…lacks sudden athleticism to create spacing…limited creativity after the catch…not a big-play threat with only one career catch over 25 yards…below average career production with only 55 receptions.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Stanford, Schultz lined up inline, wing and in the slot and was groomed in David Shaw’s pro-style offense – since Shaw took over as head coach, Stanford has produced four tight ends drafted in the first four rounds (Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz, Levine Toilolo, Austin Hooper). Before moving to tight end in high school, Schultz was raised as an offensive lineman and that competitive mentality is evident, but his limited inline power and hip snap hurt his sustain skills. Although he was underutilized as a pass-catcher in the Cardinal run-first attack (never finished better than fifth on the team in catches in a season), he has dependable ball skills to finish in a crowd. In the mold of several Stanford tight ends before him, Schultz lacks a true distinguishing trait with ordinary athleticism and strength, but he is assignment sound, tough and can be an asset for a NFL offense.

GRADE: 4th Round

NFL.com has a 3rd round grade on him. Seems like a very good all around TE that will be a big plus in the run game and be solid but unspectacular in the passing game.

Very good pick to me. I think he will start thisnyear

 

[Mobinvans]

Yawn

 

[endersdragon]

Seems like a decent blocker and receiver... Bout all you can expect in round 4.

 

[Verdammung]

He needs a lot of work as a receiver, but he came from that Stanford offense, reportedly has a history at offensive line, and let me tell you, he can block.

It may be rich here in the 4th for me, but this is the last body remaining for me at the TE position.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Good route runner and seems like a decent blocker.
Like his size.

 

[John813]

Best te on the roster

 

[Cebrin]

Sleeper. This is a great value pick. He's a killer blocker, and a good route runner.

 

[ShortRound]

How's his rapping though?

 

[IAmLegend]

 

[Sarek]

Like i said before Zeke might go for 2k+ rushing yards this season if he stays on the field.

 

[America's Cowboy]

 

[Doomsday]

I like this pick, they had to add another TE and he is a good solid all around TE.

Smart kid, very good blocker and 0 drops in 27 targets in 17

 

[morasp]

Excellent value pick, I was looking at him this morning but didn't look too seriously after Jerry's comments but he can run and catch and the best part is we didn't take him in the second round.

 

[Kaiser]

NFL.com has a 3rd round grade on him. Seems like a very good all around TE that will be a big plus in the run game and be solid but unspectacular in the passing game.

He also seems like a guy like Geoff Swaim that was underutilized as a receiver in college. The Cowboys were criticized for taking Swaim but he has been a better receiver than he was given credit for and Schultz could definitely be the same type of prospect.