All 32 NFL teams (including Texans) ranked by their TE room

The Houston Texans have their long-term tight end in Dalton Schultz. They also have two quality backups in Brevin Jordan and rookie Cade Stover.

After finishing with 12th among tight ends in receiving yards, tied for seventh in touchdowns (five), and 12th in receptions (59), Schultz inked a fresh new three-year, $36 million extension to keep in Houston until 2026. He’s now expected to remain the security blanket across the middle of the field as Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud continues to blossom entering Year 2.

Jordan stepped up multiple times during his third season, including securing a 67-yard touchdown reception in the AFC Wild Card Round against Cleveland. And Stroud already has a relationship with Stover during his time at Ohio State. They’ll look to bring that same energy from Columbus down to Houston in the form of scoring drives.

ESPN’s Mike Clay has released his 2024 projections, including ranking every tight end room in the NFL. Where does Houston’s tight ends rank among the rest of the league? Here’s a look:

32. Carolina Panthers

Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (82) scores a touchdown as Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman (53) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Tommy Tremble, Stephen Sullivan, Ian Thomas, Ja’Tavion Sanders

31. Washington Commanders

Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium.

Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott, John Bates, Cole Turner

30. Tennessee Titans

Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (85) stiff arms Jacksonville Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Josh Whyle, Nick Vannett, Thomas Odukoya

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) breaks a tackle by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow (41) during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Dec 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; New England Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki (88) pulls in a touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson, Erick All

27. Los Angeles Rams

Sep 20, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) celebrates with quarterback Jared Goff (16) after their touchdown connection against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Hunter Long, Davis Allen

26. Miami Dolphins

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (81) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Jody Fortson, Julian Hill

25. Denver Broncos

Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Adam Trautman (82) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins

24. New York Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 27: Tyler Conklin #83 of the New York Jets is tackled after making a catch in the second half of a game against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on November 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah, Zack Kuntz

23. Los Angeles Chargers

Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (81) runs on to the field at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Hayden Hurst, Will Dissly, Stone Smartt, Donald Parham

22. Seattle Seahawks

Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) catches a pass during pre-game drills before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Noah Fant, Pharaoh Brown, A.J. Barner, Brady Russell

21. Indianapolis Colts

Jan 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods (80) catches the ball during warm ups before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson, Andrew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox

20. New Orleans Saints

November 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill, Tommy Hudson

19. Philadelphia Eagles

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 06: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Dallas Goedert, C.J. Uzomah, Grant Calcaterra, Albert Okwuegbunam

18. Dallas Cowboys

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) makes a catch over Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker (7) and safety Jonathan Owens (34) during the first half for the 2024 NFC wild card game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens

17. Houston Texans

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) celebrates receiving a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.

Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan, Cade Stover, Teagan Quitoriano

16. New York Giants

Sep 21, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) is unable to make a catch next to San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaiah Oliver (26) in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Darren Waller, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Theo Johnson

15. Green Bay Packers

Jan 7, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) rushes with the football after catching a pass during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims, Tyler Davis

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam (24) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) in the first half in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Freiermuth, Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington, MyCole Pruitt

13. Arizona Cardinals

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Ariz, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium.

Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman, Blake Whiteheart

12. Atlanta Falcons

Nov 6, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) prepares for a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Pitts, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, John FitzPatrick

11. Chicago Bears

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 05: Cole Kmet #85 of the Chicago Bears catches a pass while defended by Zack Baun #53 of the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome on November 05, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Stephen Carlson, Tommy Sweeney

10. New England Patriots

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 08: Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Buffalo Bills tackles Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox, Jaheim Bell

9. Minnesota Vikings

Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) runs after a catch against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Robert Tonyan

8. Cleveland Browns

Dec 20, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) runs the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Giovanni Ricci, Zaire Mitchell-Paden

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Sep 24, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) celebrates after converting on a 2-point play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Harrison Bryant, Zach Gentry

6. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) pulls in a pass for a first down during early second quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, December 31, 2023. The Jaguars went in at the half with a 9 to 0 lead. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]

Evan Engram, Luke Farrell, Brenton Strange, Josiah Deguara

5. Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) makes a catch for a touchdown against Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke (6) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, James Mitchell, Shane Zylstra

4. San Francisco 49ers

Oct 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) gestures with fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

George Kittle, Cameron Latu, Eric Saubert, Brayden Willis

3. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) celebrates after his 29 yard touchdown catch.

Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris, Zach Davidson

2. Baltimore Ravens

Nov 21, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) is tackled by Chicago Bears cornerback Kindle Vildor (22) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Scotty Washington

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Sep 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Irv Smith Jr., Jared Wiley