Dalton Schultz bet on himself last offseason after a five-year stay with the Dallas Cowboys. A year later, he reaping the benefits.
Schultz, who signed a one-year, $4 million to join the Houston Texans, became one of the most reliable targets for quarterback C.J. Stroud en route to an AFC South division title. He finished the season with 59 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns, constantly stepping up for Stroud when under durress.
While he could have tested the free agent market, Schultz always considered Houston home. The Texans felt the same, leading to a three-year, $36 million extension right before the franchise tag deadline.
“I felt it from when I got here,” Schultz said earlier this offseason.”(Being) here just felt right, and then obviously, we had all that success last year. This is where I wanted to be. I wanted to be a part of something to turn the team around and build something special for the city of Houston. It was where I wanted to be.”
Schultz might not be a top-three player at his position, but he’s been one of the league’s more consistent options since his breakout season in 2020. Over the past four seasons, he caught at least 57 catches for 577 yards and four scores.
That’s good enough to be considered a top 10 option at the position, but is Schultz paid like it? Starting a new series here on Texans Wire, let’s look through every position group and rank the top 32 players by annual salary, per the figures at Over the Cap.
1. Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs: $17.125 million per year
Sep 10, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a touchdown during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
2. T.J. Hockenson – Minnesota Vikings: $16.5 million per year
(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
3. George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers: $15 million per year
Dec 15, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates with tight end George Kittle (85) during the late fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
4. Dallas Goedert – Philadelphia Eagles: $14.25 million per year
Nov 3, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) leaps with the ball as Houston Texans defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (56) defends during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
5. Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens: $14 million per year
(Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports)
6. Evan Engram – Jacksonville Jaguars: $13.75 million per year
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) pulls in a pass for a first down during early second quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, December 31, 2023. The Jaguars went in at the half with a 9 to 0 lead. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
7. David Njoku – Cleveland Browns: $13.68 million per year
Dec 3, 2017; Carson, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) is defended by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Trevor Williams (24) as he catches a second quarter touchdown at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
8. Cole Kmet – Chicago Bears: $12.5 million per year
Dec 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (23) closes in to make the tackle on Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
9. Dalton Schultz – Houston Texans: $12 million per year
Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) runs with the ball after a reception during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
10. Noah Fant – Seattle Seahawks: $10.5 million per year
Oct 29, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) celebrates after getting a first down against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
11. Taysom Hill – New Orleans Saints: $10 million per year
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 15: Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints stiff arms Blake Cashman #53 of the Houston Texans during the second quarter at NRG Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
12. Dawson Knox – Buffalo Bills: $9.833 million per year
Oct 3, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) runs with the ball past Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) and cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
13. Hunter Henry – New England Patriots: $9 million per year
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) scores a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
14. Tyler Higbee – Los Angeles Rams: $8.5 million per year
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei’Trel Clark (13) at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
15. Kyle Pitts – Atlanta Falcons: $8.22 million per year
Oct 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) reacts after a first down against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
16. Colby Parkinson – Los Angeles Rams: $7.5 million per year
Dec 24, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson (84) celebrates with quarterback Geno Smith (7) after scoring the game-winning touchdown during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
17. Josh Oliver – Minnesota Vikings: $7 million per year
Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
18. Tyler Conklin – New York Jets: $6.75 million per year
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) runs with the ball against the New England Patriots in the second half. The Jets lose to the Patriots, 15-10, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford.
19. Juwan Johnson – New Orleans Saints: $6.005 million per year
Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) breaks a tackle from Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Christian Izien (29) in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
20. Gerald Everett – Chicago Bears: $6 million per year
Dec 12, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett (81) catches a touchdown pass against Houston Texans cornerback Desmond King (25) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
21. Mo Alie-Cox – Indianpolis Colts: $5.85 million per year
Oct 11, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (81) catches the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Anthony Averett (23) looks on during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
22. Will Dissly – Los Angeles Chargers: $4.66 million per year
Jan 7, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (89) scores a touchdown in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
23. Brock Bowers – Las Vegas Raiders: $4.53 million per year
(Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
24. Jonnu Smith – Miami Dolphins: $4.2 million per year
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 08: Jonnu Smith #81 of the Atlanta Falcons fumbles the ball during the second half against the Houston Texans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
25. Foster Moreau – New Orleans Saints: $4.078 million per year
Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Foster Moreau (87) looks on during the first half against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
26. Brock Wright – Detriot Lions: $4 million per year
Jan 21, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half in a 2024 NFC divisional round game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
27. Charlie Woerner – Atlanta Falcons: $4 million per year
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Charlie Woerner (center) runs after a catch against Los Angeles Rams cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon (44) and Cobie Durant (14) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
28. Durham Smythe – Miami Dolphins: $3.875 million per year
Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe (81) during the second half of a 2024 AFC wild card game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
29. Adam Trautman – Denver Broncos: $3.75 million per year
Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Adam Trautman (82) celebrates with Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans-USA TODAY Sports
30. Drew Sample – Cincinnati Bengals: $3.5 million per year
Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) calls a play as Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (89) and Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (75) listen in the first quarter during a Week 16 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
31. Dalton Kincaid – Buffalo Bills: $3.356 million per yer
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch and is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) in the first half of the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
32. Harrison Bryant – Las Vegas Raiders: $3.25 million per year
Sep 19, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Harrison Bryant (88) makes a catch as Houston Texans cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (26) defends during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports