FRISCO, TEXAS — Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz has primarily been in a backup role throughout his career. In 2018 as a rookie, he played behind Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin. In 2019, Jason Witten came out of retirement and pushed Schultz further down the depth chart.
Entering his third year, Schultz looks more confident on the gridiron with his pass-catching ability and camaraderie with quarterback Dak Prescott.
“ Well there’s probably been a handful of us being able to put in some work and I think that it’s helped us significantly, especially in the offseason, “ Schultz told media. “ Nothing’s been said- it’s just kind of been like a…I can tell he’s got a lot of confidence in me now and I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself in breaking a guy down and breaking a route off. So I think that relationship is growing. I was glad that I was able to get so much work with him and I think that’s finally paying off. “
Last season, he did not receive many snaps outside of special teams and goal-line situations but during the last couple of weeks of camp, Schultz has taken advantage of his opportunities.
In a conversation with Jori Epstein of USA Today on the Stanford product’s progression throughout camp practices, she remarked to D210Sports “ He is much crisper in the open field. Around the second week of training camp, I think we saw a jump in his production. Early on he had missed some catches and was a step behind. Then he became more reliable and coaches schemed a lot more to get him involved. He rose to the occasion down the seams and in other spots. “
His increase in production has not only been fueled by his developing chemistry with Prescott, but also by the knowledge he absorbed from longtime veteran Jason Witten in 2019. Witten helped refine the mental aspect of Schultz’s game and he described that on “damn near every play” is a recollection of something 82 taught him.
“ The way that he [Witten] taught us to kind of think about running routes was first. Yeah you have got to know the play, you got to know what route you have, but also you have to understand who you are running it off of; who the cover guy is that’s responsible for you in a defense and then it’s how you manipulate him and how do you set him up to win. So literally every single play there’s something that he has kind of taught the room that shows up. “
Now, Schultz is making every effort to capitalize on what he learned from Witten and it is translating onto the field. He has become more of a receiving threat in addition to his blocking ability, and has also taken on the role of a fullback with Jamize Olawale opting out of the 2020 season. The coaching staff has formed a hybrid role, marrying together the description of a fullback and a tight end to assist the running game. The new role has benefited Schultz with the ability to see more from the backfield.
“ First of all, I’m seeing run fits as a running back and I think one, it kind of helps in-line as a tight end, and two it also is a different ballgame because you have to see blocks as Zeke sees them…. So I think at first it was tough because I was kind of bouncing around and trying to find my way through gaps and now I can see it easier. I’m able to stay low and get around blocks and you know anticipate where the back is going. I think I have gotten a lot more comfortable with that. Like I said, you’re barreling down on a guy that’s a couple inches shorter than you and packs a freaking hell of a punch so it’s like, you come through that hole, you got to make sure you stay low and come correct. “
Schultz has become more consistent and versatile with his pass-catching/blocking and as his confidence grows, so does his opportunities. If he stays on track, he will likely have an expanded role in the Cowboys’ offense.
