The Houston Texans have their long-term tight end in Dalton Schultz. They also have two quality backups in Brevin Jordan and rookie Cade Stover.
After finishing with 12th among tight ends in receiving yards, tied for seventh in touchdowns (five), and 12th in receptions (59), Schultz inked a fresh new three-year, $36 million extension to keep in Houston until 2026. He’s now expected to remain the security blanket across the middle of the field as Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud continues to blossom entering Year 2.
Jordan stepped up multiple times during his third season, including securing a 67-yard touchdown reception in the AFC Wild Card Round against Cleveland. And Stroud already has a relationship with Stover during his time at Ohio State. They’ll look to bring that same energy from Columbus down to Houston in the form of scoring drives.
ESPN’s Mike Clayhas released his 2024 projections, including ranking every tight end room in the NFL. Where does Houston’s tight ends rank among the rest of the league? Here’s a look:
32. Carolina Panthers
Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (82) scores a touchdown as Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman (53) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Tommy Tremble, Stephen Sullivan, Ian Thomas, Ja’Tavion Sanders
31. Washington Commanders
Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium.
Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott, John Bates, Cole Turner
30. Tennessee Titans
Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (85) stiff arms Jacksonville Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Josh Whyle, Nick Vannett, Thomas Odukoya
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) breaks a tackle by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow (41) during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp
28. Cincinnati Bengals
Dec 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; New England Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki (88) pulls in a touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson, Erick All
27. Los Angeles Rams
Sep 20, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) celebrates with quarterback Jared Goff (16) after their touchdown connection against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Hunter Long, Davis Allen
26. Miami Dolphins
Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (81) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Jody Fortson, Julian Hill
25. Denver Broncos
Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Adam Trautman (82) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins
24. New York Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 27: Tyler Conklin #83 of the New York Jets is tackled after making a catch in the second half of a game against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on November 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah, Zack Kuntz
23. Los Angeles Chargers
Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (81) runs on to the field at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Hayden Hurst, Will Dissly, Stone Smartt, Donald Parham
22. Seattle Seahawks
Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) catches a pass during pre-game drills before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Noah Fant, Pharaoh Brown, A.J. Barner, Brady Russell
21. Indianapolis Colts
Jan 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods (80) catches the ball during warm ups before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson, Andrew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox
20. New Orleans Saints
November 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill, Tommy Hudson
19. Philadelphia Eagles
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 06: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Dallas Goedert, C.J. Uzomah, Grant Calcaterra, Albert Okwuegbunam
18. Dallas Cowboys
Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) makes a catch over Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker (7) and safety Jonathan Owens (34) during the first half for the 2024 NFC wild card game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens
17. Houston Texans
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) celebrates receiving a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.
Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan, Cade Stover, Teagan Quitoriano
16. New York Giants
Sep 21, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) is unable to make a catch next to San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaiah Oliver (26) in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Darren Waller, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Theo Johnson
15. Green Bay Packers
Jan 7, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) rushes with the football after catching a pass during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims, Tyler Davis
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam (24) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) in the first half in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Pat Freiermuth, Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington, MyCole Pruitt
13. Arizona Cardinals
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Ariz, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium.
Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman, Blake Whiteheart
12. Atlanta Falcons
Nov 6, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) prepares for a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Pitts, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, John FitzPatrick
11. Chicago Bears
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 05: Cole Kmet #85 of the Chicago Bears catches a pass while defended by Zack Baun #53 of the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome on November 05, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Stephen Carlson, Tommy Sweeney
10. New England Patriots
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 08: Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Buffalo Bills tackles Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox, Jaheim Bell
9. Minnesota Vikings
Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) runs after a catch against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Robert Tonyan
8. Cleveland Browns
Dec 20, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) runs the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Giovanni Ricci, Zaire Mitchell-Paden
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Sep 24, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) celebrates after converting on a 2-point play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Harrison Bryant, Zach Gentry
6. Jacksonville Jaguars
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]
Evan Engram, Luke Farrell, Brenton Strange, Josiah Deguara
5. Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) makes a catch for a touchdown against Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke (6) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, James Mitchell, Shane Zylstra
4. San Francisco 49ers
Oct 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) gestures with fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamash*ta-USA TODAY Sports
George Kittle, Cameron Latu, Eric Saubert, Brayden Willis
3. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) celebrates after his 29 yard touchdown catch.
Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris, Zach Davidson
2. Baltimore Ravens
Nov 21, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) is tackled by Chicago Bears cornerback Kindle Vildor (22) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Scotty Washington
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Sep 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Irv Smith Jr., Jared Wiley
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