What to do with Dalton Schultz in Week 4 fantasy football

Following the season-ending knee injury to Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz took over as the Dallas Cowboys’ starting tight end. While he lacks the upside of his teammate, Schultz merits some consideration given the upside of the Cowboys’ passing attack.

Fantasy Football analysis: Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz

Though the Cowboys have yet to figure out their identity under new head coach Mike McCarthy and returning offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, the potential for a high-powered offense is self-evident. Opposing defenses will constantly find themselves in a bind trying to slow down Ezekiel Elliott and the ground attack while also accounting for Dallas’ cavalcade of quality receivers. When healthy, arguably no team in the league sports better wideouts than Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, and Cedrick Wilson, and Dak Prescott has proven himself a reliable triggerman.

But while the Cowboys’ depth of talent makes life easier for each individual player, it can lead to someone getting lost in the shuffle. Schultz, who had never seen more than 17 targets in a season, must now carve out a niche in a crowded passing attack.

Still, the early returns suggest that Prescott wants to work Schultz into the offense. Over the last two weeks, the young tight end has seen 16 targets and caught all but three of them. Schultz’s reliable hands could turn him into a preferred red-zone target, as his touchdown against the Falcons two weeks ago attests. Furthermore, Schultz’s 15.7% target share over the last two weeks ranks fourth on the team.

Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation

With a favorable matchup against a Cleveland Browns defense that has already given up three touchdowns to tight ends, Schultz makes sense as an emergency option this week in season-long leagues and DFS.