Dalton Keene Bio
Dalton Keene is an American professional football tight end who has played for multiple National Football League teams since entering the league in 2020. Born on April 14, 1999, in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Littleton, Colorado, Keene attended Chatfield High School before playing college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies. The New England Patriots selected Keene in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 101st overall pick. Throughout his professional career, Keene has demonstrated versatility as a player while navigating challenges including injuries. He has appeared in games for the Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and currently the Houston Texans.
Early Life and Background
Keene grew up in Littleton, Colorado, where he attended Chatfield High School. During his high school career, he played multiple positions including middle linebacker and running back on the football team. He also competed in track and field, showcasing his athletic versatility. As a senior at Chatfield High School, Keene delivered an outstanding performance, earning first-team All-State honors after rushing for 1,175 yards and 18 touchdowns. His exceptional playmaking ability and physical stature made him a highly regarded prospect among college programs.
His success at Chatfield High School attracted attention from several collegiate programs seeking his services as a tight end or running back. The combination of his size, speed, and versatility as a multi-position player positioned him well for the next level of his football career.
Path to Professional Football
Keene ultimately chose to continue his football career at Virginia Tech, joining the Hokies program in 2017. His journey to becoming an NFL player began with developing his skills at the collegiate level under the Virginia Tech coaching staff. The transition from high school to major college football required significant adjustments, but Keene proved capable of contributing immediately.
Throughout his three seasons with Virginia Tech, Keene steadily developed into a reliable receiving threat at the tight end position. His collegiate career provided the foundation for his professional aspirations, allowing him to refine his technique, build chemistry with quarterbacks, and adapt to the increased speed and complexity of college-level competition. His productivity and consistency ultimately earned him recognition among Atlantic Coast Conference players.
Dalton Keene Career
College Career (2017–2019)
Keene began his collegiate career at Virginia Tech in 2017, appearing in 12 games as a true freshman. He demonstrated early promise, catching 10 passes for 167 yards while adjusting to the collegiate level. His combination of size and athleticism gave the Hokies coaching staff confidence in deploying him as a receiving tight end.
His sophomore season in 2018 saw increased production and recognition. Keene recorded 28 receptions for 341 yards and three touchdowns, earning honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. The improved performance reflected his growing comfort with the Virginia Tech offensive system and his developing chemistry with the quarterbacks. As a junior in 2019, Keene continued his progression, catching 21 passes for 240 yards and five touchdowns. Following the conclusion of his junior season, he announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2020 NFL Draft. Across his three collegiate seasons, Keene appeared in 39 games with 12 starts, accumulating 59 receptions for 748 yards and eight touchdowns.
New England Patriots Era (2020–2021)
The New England Patriots selected Keene in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 101st overall selection. The Patriots acquired this draft pick from the New York Jets through a trade that sent two fourth-round picks in the 2020 draft and a sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft to the Jets. Notably, this marked the first time in Bill Belichick’s 20-year tenure as head coach that the Patriots included a future draft pick to move up in a draft, highlighting the organization’s interest in Keene.
Keene made his NFL debut in Week 7 of the 2020 season, recording one reception for eight yards. However, his rookie campaign was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on November 10, 2020, with a knee injury. He was activated from injured reserve on December 5, 2020, returning to action for the final stretch of the season. The following year, Keene remained with the Patriots but faced another setback when he was placed on injured reserve on August 7, 2021, again with a knee injury. On August 21, 2022, the Patriots waived Keene.
Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos (2022)
Following his release from New England, Keene joined the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on September 6, 2022. He spent nearly a month with the Eagles before being released on October 4. His tenure with Philadelphia was brief, providing limited opportunities to contribute at the active roster level.
On October 15, 2022, Keene signed with the Denver Broncos practice squad. His time with Denver was also marked by roster fluctuation, as he was released just three days later. However, the Broncos re-signed him to their practice squad on December 27, 2022. His practice squad contract expired after the season concluded on January 8, 2023.
Houston Texans Era (2023–2025)
On January 20, 2023, Keene signed a reserve/future contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, beginning his second stint with the organization. However, this tenure was short-lived, as the Eagles waived him on July 26, 2023.
On August 1, 2023, Keene signed with the Houston Texans. He was waived by the team on August 29, 2023, and subsequently re-signed to the practice squad. Keene signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on January 22, 2024, securing his place on the roster for the 2024 season. However, his 2024 campaign was derailed when he was placed on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament on August 21, 2024.
Keene re-signed with the Texans on August 5, 2025, but was released on August 22 after suffering an undisclosed injury that required placement on injured reserve. He was signed to the practice squad on October 29, 2025, but was released again on November 5, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Keene possesses the size and physical tools typical of an NFL tight end, listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 251 pounds. His collegiate career demonstrated his ability to contribute as a receiving weapon, with the speed and route-running ability to create mismatches against linebackers and smaller defensive backs. His experience playing multiple positions in high school and his versatility at Virginia Tech suggest adaptability and football intelligence that can translate to various offensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Keene’s career has been notably shaped by injuries, particularly knee injuries that have required injured reserve placements. His 2020 NFL Draft selection by the Patriots, involving a rare future draft pick trade by Bill Belichick, represented a significant investment in his potential. His journey through multiple teams in a relatively short period reflects both the competitive nature of the NFL and the challenges he has faced in establishing a consistent role.
Dalton Keene Career Statistics
Keene has appeared in limited games throughout his NFL career, with his statistical output remaining modest due to reduced opportunities and injury setbacks. His career has included numerous practice squad and injured reserve stints that have limited his on-field contributions.
College Statistics (Virginia Tech)
At Virginia Tech, Keene demonstrated consistent production over three seasons. His freshman year yielded 10 receptions for 167 yards. His sophomore campaign saw 28 receptions for 341 yards and three touchdowns. His junior season included 21 receptions for 240 yards and five touchdowns. Across 39 career games with 12 starts, he accumulated 59 receptions for 748 yards and eight touchdowns.
Professional NFL Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Keene has recorded 3 receptions for 16 receiving yards in his professional career. His limited statistical output reflects his role as a depth player and the impact of multiple injured reserve stints throughout his career.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (Virginia Tech) | 39 | 59 | 748 | 8 |
| NFL (Career) | Limited | 3 | 16 | 0 |
Dalton Keene Family
Family Background
Publicly available information regarding Keene’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or any family connections to professional athletics, remains limited. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but grew up in Littleton, Colorado, where he attended Chatfield High School.
Personal Life
Keene maintains connections to his Colorado roots, with Littleton listed as his residence. He has expressed engagement with fans through social media platforms, including Instagram. Beyond his football career, detailed information about his personal interests, charitable activities, or off-field pursuits is not extensively documented in publicly available sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season brought continued volatility to Keene’s professional career. He re-signed with the Houston Texans on August 5, 2025, generating optimism about securing a roster spot with the franchise. However, his tenure was short-lived, as the Texans released him on August 22, 2025, after he suffered an undisclosed injury that necessitated an injured reserve placement.
Following his release, Keene was signed to the Texans practice squad on October 29, 2025, providing another opportunity to contribute. This stint was also brief, as he was released on November 5, 2025. The pattern of signing, injury, and release throughout his career has highlighted the challenges he has faced in establishing stability in the NFL. Keene’s ability to continue earning opportunities reflects his persistence and the value teams place on his positional versatility and size as a tight end prospect.