Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Dalton Schultz

Wednesday, July 16, 2:58 PM

Miami Dolphins new tight end Darren Waller signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the organization this week. The veteran can earn an additional $3 million in incentives. Waller came out of retirement this offseason after sitting out the 2024 campaign and was dealt to the Dolphins from the New York Giants as part of a late-round NFL Draft pick swap. With Jonnu Smith now in Pittsburgh, Waller won't face much competition from Julian Hill, Pharaoh Brown, or Tanner Conner to secure the clear TE1 role in Miami. Although Waller's last season of at least 60 catches or 700 yards came in 2020, he could enter the fantasy football TE1 radar based on the usage Smith received a season ago. For now, he should be viewed as a mid-range TE2 option, but the former Pro Bowler has at least some intriguing upside as a potential go-to red zone target for Tua Tagovailoa.

Wednesday, June 4, 12:31 PM

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (leg) is back practicing at voluntary organized team activities this week after missing the first few sessions with an apparent leg injury, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander. In his second year working with quarterback C.J. Stroud, Schultz disappointed in 2024 with 53 catches on 85 targets for 532 yards and only two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (13 starts), especially when considering the season-ending injuries to receivers Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee). Diggs is gone and Dell probably won't play at all in 2025, but the Texans added Christian Kirk via trade and Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the draft. The 28-year-old is the team's clear-cut top pass-catching tight end, but Schultz could once again struggle for consistent targets on a week-to-week basis for his fantasy managers.