NFL Rumors: Patriots a Landing Spot for Texans' Dalton Schultz amid Contract Buzz

After taking a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Houston Texans a year ago, tight end Dalton Schultz could have a payday coming his way from a different team.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the New England Patriots have emerged as a potential landing spot for Schultz, and his number could be more than $10 million per year. Fowler also noted that Schultz could return to Houston.

"Dalton Schultz didn't get his big payday last year due to a deep tight end class, but it should come this time after a good season with the Texans," Fowler wrote. "Enough teams expect him to clear $10 million per year. New England is one to watch here potentially, as is a return to Houston. The Seahawks' Noah Fant will also do well."

Schultz is coming off a solid year with the Texans where he recorded 635 yards and five touchdowns. After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, Schultz took a one-year deal with the Texans and emerged as the team's third-leading receiver.

The Texans have a whopping $70 million in expected cap space, per Spotrac, so they could have the funds to give Schultz the big contract he was looking for last season. As Fowler noted, the Patriots could outbid Houston to land Schultz as they continue their rebuild.