'Four Horsemen': Will Cowboys Miss 'Impact' Tight End Dalton Schultz?

The loss of Dalton Schultz to the Houston Texans hasn't been mentioned that much for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. Perhaps that has to do with the excitement over the "Four Horsemen," the nickname the current young tight ends have given themselves.

But there can be no doubt that Schultz was a crucial cog in the Cowboys' offense and was Dak Prescott's ultimate security blanket. Can Luke Schoonmaker, Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot and Sean McKeon fill that void?

NFL.com has listed the top 10 players whose absence will have the biggest impact on the team next season, with the loss of Schultz coming in at No. 9.

"Schultz developed into a top option for Dak Prescott, averaging 66 catches for 666.7 yards and 5.7 touchdowns over the past three seasons," NFL.com writes. "After reeling in a career-high eight touchdowns in 2021, good for fifth-most among tight ends, the Cowboys saw Schultz's value and placed the franchise tag on him. This year, however, the team used the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard and allowed Schultz to walk in free agency.

"The loss of Schultz leaves the offense without an established middle-of-the-field threat at the position."

With this offseason theme being "tight end by committee," all of the 2023 roster members bring something to the table. ... including, on paper, enough to match what Schultz' absence means.

Second-round rookie Schoonmaker is quick for his size (he's 6-6, 250 and runs a 4.6 40) and will be utilized in the run game with his good blocking skills, Ferguson, the likely first-teamer, has the athleticism to threaten the seam and can block. Hendershot has shown his ability to make contested catches regularly. McKeon is a solid special-teamer and run blocker.

The "middle of the field" issue? Dallas might not "need" come from the tight end group. With CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks both able to play inside and out, along with Michael Gallup, there may be lessened need to have a tight end who is in Schultz's mold. ... though certainly Dallas would like Schoonmaker to develop into that role.

The Cowboys are pinning their hopes on the developing potential of its tight end room. While we have seen flashes, we must concede, none thus far have offered the consistent production Schultz had.

But can all four tight ends replicate Schultz's production while also offering more in the run game? That is the line of thinking inside The Star, and it could mean that the Cowboys tight end unit, as a whole, performs to the standard Schultz had previously set. And thus his "impactful loss" might not be felt as much as some suggest.

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