Mike Sando of The Athletic recently spoke with NFL executives about the free agency moves made by each move. 

The executives spoke on the condition of anonymity for competitive reasons. 

When it came to the Houston Texans, the evaluator was especially complimentary of one of the teams' signings. 

The move that received positive feedback from the executive was the signing of tight end Dalton Schultz. Schultz was signed to a one-year, $9M deal on March 24th. 

In 2022, Schultz came down with 57 catches for 577 yards and five touchdowns. This production was actually a step back for the tight end. 

Schultz's best season came in 2021, when he caught 78 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns. The Texans will surely be hoping for this level of production after watching Jordan Akins leave for the Cleveland Browns. 

The executive said the following about the Schultz move:

“If you look at some of these tight ends, like Evan Engram, for example, they needed time,” an evaluator said. “Teams drafting quarterbacks are getting better at saying, ‘OK, what is the next step to give him the most possible success?’ Carolina is taking a quarterback, so they get a tight end in Hayden Hurst. Same for Houston with Schultz.”

I believe this executive makes a great point. The Texans will, in all likelihood, have a rookie under center in 2023. Said rookie  will need all the weapons he can get. 

Having an experienced tight end as a security blanket could help a rookie QB get acclimated to the pro game. 

Historically, rookie tight ends don't perform until their second or third season. Taking a chance on a rookie tight end is the type of move that teams with established weapons can take. The Texans are not that team. 

Adding established veterans to a rebuilding team can only be a good thing. Worst-case scenario, Schultz walks after the 2023 season. As Sando pointed out, 2024's draft class is going to be full of quality tight ends.