May 24, 2022

For all intents and purposes, Dalton Schultz already "broke out" last season, finishing as the TE5 in PPR formats with 12.3 fantasy points per game (PPG). The year before that, he was at a modest 9.2 fantasy points per game, so you can see the jump he took in 2021. However, one could argue that 12.3 PPG is Schultz's floor in 2022. Since 2020, in games played without fellow tight end Blake Jarwin, Schultz has averaged 32.6 routes run per game, second to only Travis Kelce. But in 2021, Schultz was targeted at a higher rate than in 2020. In 2020, he averaged a modest 16.8% targets per route run (TPRR) rate. Last season, that number jumped up to 20% in games played without Jarwin. He's quickly become one of Dak Prescott's most trusted weapons in the passing game, and that should continue heading into this season, especially with Amari Cooper now in Cleveland and Michael Gallup recovering from a torn ACL. In two games played without Cooper a season ago, Schultz ran 43 routes, was targeted 7.5 times, and averaged 74.5 air yards per game. Those metrics are reminiscent of Darren Waller, except Schultz now has less legitimate target competition than Waller, who must fend off both Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow. We could see Schultz enter that tier just below Kelce and Mark Andrews this season. Don't be surprised if he surpasses 1,000 yards for the first time in his career and scores 8+ touchdowns on his way to another top-5 fantasy finish in 2022.--Adam Koffler