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Dalton Schultz is coming off a profession 12 months for the Dallas Cowboys, and it’s anticipated the previous Bingham Excessive star will money in with a profitable new deal this offseason when he’s anticipated to enter free company.
Zach Wilson is coming off a rookie season with the New York Jets stuffed with loads of frustration and studying moments whereas blended with some promise after the previous BYU and Nook Canyon Excessive quarterback was the No. 2 total decide within the 2022 NFL draft.
May the 2 Utah natives grow to be teammates in New York?
The 6-foot-5, 244-pound Schultz is ranked among the many finest accessible NFL free brokers heading into the free company interval, which begins March 16 — ESPN has him at No. 23, whereas Professional Soccer Focus has him at No. 21.
He's among the many most coveted tight ends anticipated to hit the market, together with Miami’s Mike Gesicki.
Why Schultz may slot in with the Jets
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen imagine Schultz, who can be an unrestricted free agent, can be an ideally suited match to affix Wilson with the Jets.
“Count on the Jets to be available in the market for a security valve over the center for Zach Wilson, both within the draft or free company. Dallas needs to re-sign Schultz, maybe probably the most full tight finish within the class, however it could’t preserve all people,” Fowler wrote.
The Jets struggled to search out dependable receiving choices throughout the 2021 season, significantly on the tight finish place.
Wilson, who missed three video games resulting from harm, accomplished 55.6% of his passes for two,334 yards, 9 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his first professional season. He had a 3-10 document because the workforce’s starter.
Schultz was one among Dak Prescott’s favourite targets in Dallas throughout this previous season, when the Utah native had career-highs in receptions (78), receiving yards (808) and touchdowns (eight).
That type of dependable possibility throughout the center may assist the youthful Wilson as he tries to construct his confidence on the professional degree.
“Schultz can function as a middle-of-the-field goal for Wilson on play-action throws, and he’s slippery after the catch. Schultz performs with good protection recognition and is a much-needed improve on the place in Mike LaFleur’s offense. Plus, he's an enough run blocker,” Bowen wrote.
Final 12 months, the Jets’ high tight ends have been Ryan Griffin (27 receptions, 261 yards, two touchdowns), and Tyler Kroft (16 receptions, 173 yards, one landing), which illustrates the room for enchancment New York could make at that place.
The Jets could have the flexibleness so as to add a number of gamers in free company, as effectively: New York is projected to have over $44 million in cap area, in line with SpoTrac, fifth-most within the league.
What's the market worth for Schultz?
SpoTrac predicts Schultz’s worth to be someplace available in the market of a four-year, $50.7 million deal, with an annual wage round $12.6 million.
By comparability, he made $2.1 million this previous season, his fourth with the Cowboys after being a fourth-round decide in 2018.
Professional Soccer Focus famous that Schultz has performed in each sport for Dallas over the previous two seasons, and that features the third-most snaps by a decent finish with 973 in 2020.
“Schultz was a backup till 2020 and he didn’t get away till 2021 the place he’s been one of many higher all-around tight ends within the league. He’s a mid-tier starter who has proven that he could be a reliable receiver and run-blocker,” PFF wrote.