Cowboys rumors: Could Dallas replace Dalton Schultz with first-round pick?

The Dallas Cowboys let tight end Dalton Schultz hit free agency and sign with the Houston Texans. Will they replace him with a prospect in the first-round of the NFL Draft?

The Dallas Cowboys have overhauled their offense of sorts, parting ways with coordinator Kellen Moore, releasing running back Ezekiel Elliott, and trading for Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks.

One other move that the Cowboys made was to allow tight end Dalton Schultz hit free agency. They watched him sign with the Texans on a one-year contract. With that, Dallas has an obvious need at tight end, and they can address it in the NFL Draft.

But how early would they consider drafting one?

ESPN’s Matt Bowen (subscription required) looked at 15 of the top playmaking prospects in the upcoming draft and listed their ideal landing spots. For the Cowboys, they are linked to Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer, a first-round prospect.

ESPN Draft expert calls Cowboys ideal landing spot for Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer

“Drafting Mayer would fill a need on the Dallas roster with veteran Dalton Schultz leaving for the Texans in free agency. Mayer also fits in Mike McCarthy’s offense as a tight end with the receiving and blocking traits to impact the game plan. McCarthy could scheme Mayer for quarterback Dak Prescott on play-action and boot, with Mayer running unders and crossers.

“In short, the Cowboys could utilize the tight end on the classic pro route tree, which caters to Mayer’s game based on his college tape. Think middle-of-the-field quick seams, sticks and sit routes. That’s where Mayer — who finished third among FBS tight ends last season with 809 yards — can use his strong frame in the high traffic areas to move the chains for Prescott and the Dallas offense.”

Mayer was long considered to be the top tight end prospect in the NFL Draft. Fans who watched Notre Dame noticed his 6-foot-4, 249-pound frame, and his ability to make some huge catches down the field.

After his final college football season, he broke the all-time receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns records for tight ends in program history. He logged 180 receptions for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns in his three seasons with Notre Dame.

This past season, Mayer recorded 67 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games played.

Of course, this will all be dependent on if the Cowboys want to use their 26th-overall pick on a tight end. After all, there are some good names that are available as well, such as Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, Georgia’s Darnell Washington, and Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave, the latter two who could slip into the second-round. Again, it is all up to their preference.

Luckily for Cowboys fans, the opening night of the NFL Draft takes place on Thursday, Apr. 27, so they will get their answer soon enough as to what they will do in the first-round. Cowboys fans, how would you feel if the team used their first-round pick on Michael Mayer?