Dalton Schultz Fantasy Overview

2025 Role & Results

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Schultz caught 82 passes (third among TEs) on 106 targets (sixth) for 777 yards (sixth) and 3 TDs (23rd) across 17 games, totaling 177.7 PPR fantasy points (10th) and 10.45 per game (15th).

He posted seven top-10 weekly finishes, two of those were among the top 5.

Usage & Role

Schultz was a true workhorse, playing 589 pass snaps, sixth most among TEs

He split time between inline and slot alignments. He had 332 inline snaps (second) with a 56.4% inline rate (13th). He also had 190 slot snaps (21st) with a 32.3% slot rate (33rd).

He ranked 14th in PFF receiving grade.

His 106 targets ranked sixth at the position, but his 6.6-yard average depth of target ranked 22nd. That checked in more than a yard shorter than either of his two previous Texans seasons and was Schultz’s shortest aDOT since his 2018 rookie campaign.

Efficiency & Regression

The efficiency picture for Schultz shows that he sits more as a TE2 than his raw 2025 fantasy output.

His 1.56 yards per route run ranked 19th among TEs. That’s the highest YPRR of his career. He also ranked second on the team after Nico Collins (2.35).

A lack of after-catch ability contributed to this with Schultz’s 4.4 yards after catch per reception ranking 35th. His yards after catch over expected of -0.2 (24th) confirms that lack of dynamic ability after the catch.

Offensive Context

Houston ranked eighth in pass attempts and 16th in pass rate (57.4%), operating as a relatively balanced offense. The Texans ran 64.0 plays per game (sixth), giving Stroud a reasonable number of opportunities.

Houston ranked 19th in neutral pass rate (54.5%), and 20th in pass rate over expected (-4.29%) in 2025.

The Texans directed 23.8% of targets to the TE position (ninth), so the drop in pass rate didn’t affect Schultz much. The team also increased their pass attempts in 2025 despite the dropping pass rates. That 23.8% represented a bump from 2024 (21.4%) and 2023 (20.3%).

Historical Production & Trends

Schultz has been a reliable TE over his three years in Houston. He showed the ability to rise to a low-end TE1 with enough TDs (5 in 2023 compared to 3 in 2025):

• 2025: TE15
• 2024: TE29
• 2023: TE11

Schultz saw a target share boost under OC Will Caley in 2025 that helped fuel his production:

• 2025: 17.7% (11th)
• 2024: 14.7% (17th)
• 2023: 15.7% (16th)

Gaining a higher target share and converting that into yards gave Schultz a safe TE2 environment in 2025. He showed similar production in 2023 (with more TDs) and fills the short to intermediate role in the offense well. Schultz profiles as a solid TE2 whose fantasy value is driven more by volume than playmaking.

2026 Opportunity & Projection

Projected Role & Competition

Schultz returns as Houston's unquestioned TE1 with very little competition at the position.

The Texans did sign Foster Moreau and draft Marlin Klein in the second round. But Klein likely profiles as a developmental TE to take over when Schultz’s contract runs out after 2027.

Supporting Cast

OC Nick Caley's first season as OC in 2025 produced a balanced offense by most measures. The pass rate (57.4%) and neutral pass rate (54.5%) both dropped in 2025 from Slowik’s previous years. The team’s pass attempts increased last year despite the rate drop.

Schultz has continued to produce despite the neutral pass rate with the team targeting the TE often.

The Texans directed 23.8% of targets to the TE position (ninth), so the drop in pass rate didn’t affect Schultz much. That 23.8% was higher than 2024 (21.4%) and 2023 (20.3%). That compares to WRs earning 62.3% (eighth) RBs got the short end of the share at 13.9% (29th).

The strong TE target share benefits Schultz who has been the reliable short to intermediate receiving option for the Texans over the past three seasons.

Paths To Ceiling

Schultz’s ceiling case starts with maintaining last year’s target share, which enjoyed a boost over his previous two Houston seasons.

Beyond that, he’d need better TD luck. That helped drive his TE11 ranking in PPR points per game in 2023 (his first Texans campaign) and TE5 with the Cowboys in 2021. Schultz did garner nine end-zone targets in 2023 -- Stroud’s rookie season -- vs. nine combined over the past two years, according to PFF.

Risk Factors

Schultz finished two of the past three seasons among the top 10 tight ends in total PPR points and among the top 16 in points per game. In between came a TE31 finish in points per game.

TDs drove his 2023 production. Target volume led the way in 2025. The latter could easily dissipate if the young Houston receivers improve this year. Frankly, Houston probably hopes it doesn’t need to target Schultz as much, because he’s more outlet than playmaker.

If depressed target volume meets with modest TD production, he could wind up a forgettable 2026 contributor.