Dalton Chase Schultz Biography
Dalton Chase Schultz is an American professional football tight end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Schultz has established himself as a reliable and productive tight end in the NFL, amassing over 4,000 career receiving yards and 400 receptions through the 2024 season.
Early Life and Background
Dalton Chase Schultz was born on July 11, 1996, in Sandy, Utah, USA. He attended Bingham High School in South Jordan, Utah, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. During his senior year at Bingham, Schultz caught 31 passes for 512 yards and nine touchdowns while also playing basketball for the Miners. Over his entire high school career, he recorded 76 receptions for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns.
In January 2014, Schultz made his college commitment, choosing to play football for the Stanford Cardinal. His decision to attend Stanford reflected his academic ambitions and his desire to compete at the highest collegiate level of football.
Path to the NFL
Schultz accepted a football scholarship from Stanford University and began his collegiate career in 2014. He did not see any game action as a true freshman and was redshirted during that season. The following year, as a redshirt freshman in 2015, Schultz played in all 14 games as a backup to Austin Hooper, catching 10 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown.
As a sophomore in 2016, Schultz was named the starter after Hooper declared for the NFL Draft. He played in all 13 games and recorded 23 receptions for 222 yards and a touchdown, earning honorable-mention All-Pac-12 honors. He also contributed as a blocker for standout running backs Christian McCaffrey and Bryce Love.
Prior to the 2017 season, Schultz was named to the John Mackey Award watch list, which honors the top collegiate tight end. During his senior season, he was used primarily as a blocker but still caught 22 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns. He helped Bryce Love rush for 2,118 yards that season. Schultz was named to the All-Pac-12 First-team at the conclusion of the 2017 season, solidifying his status as one of the top tight ends in the conference.
Dalton Chase Schultz Career
Dallas Cowboys (2018–2022)
Schultz was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (137th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Cowboys selected him to improve tight end depth after the surprising retirements of Jason Witten and James Hanna. Schultz began his rookie season as the third-string tight end behind Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin.
After Swaim suffered an injury in Week 11, Schultz passed Jarwin on the depth chart and became the starter. He started seven of the 11 games he played that season, as well as both playoff contests. Schultz tallied 12 receptions for 116 yards while contributing to the Cowboys’ running game, helping Ezekiel Elliott capture the NFL rushing title.
In 2019, Schultz appeared in 16 games with limited playing time, recording one reception for six yards. Jason Witten returned to the team after a season as a commentator, keeping Schultz in a backup role. The following year, with Witten departed to the Las Vegas Raiders, Schultz had an opportunity to compete for the starting position.
2020 Breakthrough Season
The 2020 season marked Schultz’s emergence as a starting tight end in the NFL. When Blake Jarwin suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, Schultz took over the starting role. During Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, he caught nine passes for 88 yards and his first NFL touchdown reception in the dramatic 40–39 comeback victory.
Schultz exceeded expectations throughout the season despite the Cowboys losing starting quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 5. He became the fourth tight end in franchise history to record at least 60 receptions in a regular season with 63 catches. He finished with 615 receiving yards and four touchdowns while starting 15 of 17 games. He became the second tight end in franchise history to reach 70 receptions in a single season and the seventh to have over 100 career receptions.
2021–2022 Continued Production
Before the 2021 season, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Schultz. He posted 63 receptions for 615 yards and four touchdowns that year. One area where Schultz found success was as a red zone target, scoring seven touchdowns in the final nine games and adding three touchdowns in the two playoff games. He led the team in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (89) during the Wild Card playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
In 2022, Schultz struggled with a PCL injury suffered in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, which he reaggravated twice during the season. He finished with 57 receptions for 577 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games.
Houston Texans (2023–Present)
On March 24, 2023, Schultz signed a one-year contract as a free agent with the Houston Texans. He was used sparingly during the first four weeks of the season but eventually became a trusted target for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
During Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints, Schultz became the third player in franchise history to score a touchdown in three consecutive games. Three weeks later against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he recorded 10 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown, becoming the second tight end in club history to have at least eight catches and 100 receiving yards in a single game. Schultz finished the season with 59 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games with eight starts.
On March 8, 2024, Schultz signed a three-year, $36 million contract extension with the Texans. His production declined compared to the previous season, with him appearing in 17 games and 13 starts while collecting 53 receptions for 532 yards and two touchdowns.
Driving Style and Strengths
Schultz has developed a reputation as a reliable intermediate-range receiver with strong hands and consistent route-running ability. His versatility allows him to contribute effectively both as a receiver and in-line blocker, making him a valuable two-way tight end. His red-zone production has been particularly notable, especially late in seasons when he has shown an ability to be a trusted target in critical situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Schultz achieved several milestones during his time with the Dallas Cowboys, including becoming the franchise’s second tight end to record 70 receptions in a single season. His Week 2 performance against the Atlanta Falcons in 2020, which resulted in his first NFL touchdown reception during a dramatic comeback win, served as a breakout moment. With the Texans, he became just the third player in franchise history to score touchdowns in three consecutive games.
Dalton Chase Schultz Career Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Schultz has established himself as a productive starting tight end with impressive career totals across seven seasons in the league. His consistency and reliability have made him a valuable asset for both the Cowboys and Texans organizations.
NFL Career Highlights
Schultz has accumulated 405 career receptions for 4,066 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns through the 2024 season. His best statistical season came in 2020 with the Cowboys when he recorded 78 receptions for 808 yards and eight touchdowns while starting 15 games. With the Texans in 2023, he recorded 59 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns, marking one of the top seasons for a tight end in franchise history.
College Career Summary
During his four seasons at Stanford from 2014 to 2017, Schultz appeared in 40 games with 13 starts. He recorded 55 receptions for 555 yards and five touchdowns. His senior season in 2017 was his most productive, earning him First-team All-Pac-12 honors as he helped lead the Cardinal to a successful rushing attack.
| League | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (Career through 2024) | 405 | 4,066 | 27 | 112 |
Dalton Chase Schultz Family
Personal Life
Schultz is married to Laurel Heinrich. The couple has two children together, a son and a daughter. Schultz maintains a relatively private personal life away from the football field, though he has been active in the community during his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Schultz remains a key component of the Houston Texans offense under second-year head coach DeMeco Ryans. With C.J. Stroud entering his third professional season following his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, Schultz’s experience and reliability as a security blanket in the passing game should prove valuable. The Texans continued to build around their young quarterback, and Schultz’s chemistry with Stroud developed further throughout the 2024 season.
The Texans’ offense featured several young weapons, and Schultz’s role as a veteran presence in the tight end room provided stability and leadership. His ability to contribute both as a receiver and blocker made him a versatile option in offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s system.
After signing his lucrative three-year extension in March 2024, Schultz entered the 2025 season with increased job security and an opportunity to rebound from a somewhat disappointing 2024 campaign. The Texans’ continued development as a franchise, combined with Stroud’s growth, positioned Schultz for an impactful season both as a statistical contributor and as a mentor to younger players in the offense.