Should Cowboys draft Dalton Schultz’s replacement at #26? 2023 NFL Draft simulator sees Dallas land top prospect

Could the Dallas Cowboys draft tight end Dalton Schultz’s replacement at #26? It's very likely as this year's tight end draft class is one of the best ever, and the best in the last 10 years.

As many as five tight ends could go into the first round of this year's NFL Draft. The Cowboys could be one of the teams to draft one.

In a mock draft stimulator on Sportskeeda's website, the Cowboys selected Schultz's replacement.

Top quarterbacks Bryce Young and CJ Stroud were selected one and two overall. There was a shakeup at pick no. 3 with the Cardinals selecting Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez.

The Colts stayed put at pick number four and selected combine-warrior QB Anthony Richardson. Rounding out the top five, the Cardinals selected highly productive edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. out of Alabama.

The Raiders also selected a quarterback in the top 10 - Will Levis. Three wide receivers were selected in a row, from picks 13-15, with the Jets selecting Quentin Johnston, the Patriots selecting Jordan Addison, and the Packers selecting Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

At pick no. 26, the Cowboys selected the first tight end off the board in Michael Mayer.

24.) Jacksonville Jaguars	Clemson L Trenton Simpson
25.) New York Giants	Peter Skoronski
26.) Dallas Cowboys	Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
27.) Buffalo Bills	Texas S Antonio Johnson
28.) Cincinnati Bengals	Notre Dame Edge Isaiah Foskey

He was the only tight end selected in the mock draft, but that doesn't mean a few more won't be drafted in the first round come April 27.

Mayer has scored 18 touchdowns in his three collegiate seasons at Notre Dame. He's caught over 65 catches and 800 yards in each of the last two seasons.

Dalton Schultz is ready to continue his career with the Houston Texans

Dalton Schultz in action during Dallas Cowboys v Tennessee Titans

After turning down a three-year, $36 million deal from the Dallas Cowboys, Dalton Schultz settled for a one-year, $9 million deal with the Houston Texans in free agency.

Schultz bet on himself and lost a lot of money in free agency as he settled for a one-year deal with Houston.

He will be their new starting tight end this season for a rebuilding team that will likely have CJ Stroud or Bryce Young as their quarterback.

In his career, Schultz has recorded 211 receptions for 2,122 yards and 17 total touchdowns with the Cowboys.

The Texans have also added C Jimmie Ward, DL Sheldon Rankins, WR Robert Woods, and DT Hassan Ridgeway.

Do you think the Houston Texans will make a leap in 2023?