Amari Cooper loss stings, but Dalton Schultz says Dallas Cowboys offense can improve
Tight end Dalton Schultz is no different than most pundits when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys offense without Amari Cooper, the team’s former No. 1 receiver who was traded to the Cleveland Browns last month because of salary cap reasons.
And he was blunt in his assessment.
“Amari is one of the best receivers in the league,” Schultz said. “We are a better offense with him.”
But as the Cowboys officially began the offseason program on Monday without Cooper, Schultz was looking forward and not backward.
Schultz said the primary goal is the same for a Cowboys team that finished 12-5 and lost in the wild card playoffs in 2021 to extend a streak of 26 seasons since their last Super Bowl title in 1995.
He said winning a championship for the organization is at the forefront of everyone’s minds and is mentioned at every workout. The foundation starts now with the offseason program.
And while Cooper is gone, the focus is on other guys being able to grow in the offense and step up.
And Schultz was most excited about having a full offseason to throw with quarterback Dak Prescott for the first time in three seasons.
Prescott held out of the offseason program in 2020 in a contract dispute. He was rehabbing from a fractured ankle and missed the entire offseason program in 2021.
But he has been throwing to his receivers at the team’s facility and having personal sessions on his football field at his home in Prosper for over a month.
“That is important,” Schultz said. “Any time you can throw with a quarterback is invaluable. Where he is with his health compared to last year where he was in rehab ... We have had ample opportunity to throw. We are definitely ahead of where we were last year.”
Schultz is confident in the offense being more efficient in 2022 because of the work with Prescott and deeper understanding of the offense under coordinator Kellen Moore with players having a few years in the system.
“Just as a whole there is a lot of room from everyone on offense to grow in terms of football IQ, why Kellen is calling the call and where those concepts fit in it,” Schultz said.
From a personal standpoint, Schultz is happy knowing he will be with the Cowboys for at least another season after the team placed the franchise tag on him, guaranteeing him a salary of $10.9 million in 2022.
He hopes to work out a long-term deal with the Cowboys before the season starts. It is something both sides want to do.
But his primary focus is on getting better and improving his game.
The former fourth-round pick has blossomed into one of the league’s top receiving tight ends, ranking second on the team and third in the league at his position in catches in 2021 with 78.
The Cowboys prioritized placing the franchise tag on Schultz as one of Prescott’s most trusted targets as they are counting on him to help replace Cooper’s production.
Schultz has concentrated on bulking up to improve as a blocker and become a more complete player.
He said he has added 5-6 pounds and now weighs a little under 255.
“I wanted to gain more weight so I can hold my own a little more,” Schultz said. “I wanted to come into the offseason program with a little more mass to help me get stronger. I think it will help [improve his blocking].”
This story was originally published April 19, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
