Dalton Keene

Dalton Keene
No. 40 – Houston Texans
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1999-04-14) April 14, 1999 (age 25)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:251 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High school:Chatfield
(Littleton, Colorado)
College:Virginia Tech (2017–2019)
NFL draft:2020 / round: 3 / pick: 101
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Injured reserve
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:3
Receiving yards:16
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Dalton Keene (born April 14, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech.

Early life

Keene grew up in Littleton, Colorado and attended Chatfield High School, where he played middle linebacker and running back on the football team and also ran track.[1] He was named first-team All-State as a senior after rushing for 1,175 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.[2]

College career

Keene started 12 games as a true freshman and caught 10 passes for 167 yards.[3] He was named honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference after recording 28 receptions for 341 yards and three touchdowns in his sophomore season.[4][5] As a junior, Keene caught 21 passes for 240 yards and five touchdowns.[6] Following the end of the season, Keene announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.[7] Keene finished his collegiate career with 59 receptions for 748 yards and eight touchdowns in 39 games played.[8]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄8 in
(1.93 m) 		253 lb
(115 kg) 		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m) 		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 4.71 s 1.63 s 2.73 s 4.19 s 7.07 s 34.0 in
(0.86 m)		 10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		 21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[9][10]

New England Patriots

Keene was selected in the third round with the 101st overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft by the New England Patriots.[11] The Patriots acquired the pick from a division rival, the New York Jets, trading two fourth-round picks in the 2020 draft and a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft. It was the first time in Bill Belichick's 20 years as head coach of the Patriots that the team included a future draft pick to move up in a draft.[12] He made his NFL debut in Week 7, recording one catch for eight yards. He was placed on injured reserve on November 10, 2020, with a knee injury.[13] He was activated on December 5, 2020.[14]

On August 7, 2021, Keene was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.[15]

On August 21, 2022, the Patriots waived Keene.[16]

Philadelphia Eagles

On September 6, 2022, Keene was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. He was released on October 4.[17]

Denver Broncos

On October 15, 2022, Keene was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad.[18] He was released three days later. On December 27, 2022, Keene was re-signed by the Broncos to their practice squad.[19] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 8, 2023.

Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)

On January 20, 2023, Keene was signed to a reserve/future contract by the Eagles.[20] He was waived on July 26, 2023.

Houston Texans

On August 1, 2023, Keene signed with the Houston Texans.[21] He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.[22][23] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2024.[24] He was placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL on August 21.[25]

References

  1. ^ Newman, Kyle (April 20, 2020). "Chatfield alum Dalton "Rambo" Keene projected as late-round pick out of Virginia Tech". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  2. ^ Niziolek, Mike (October 20, 2019). "Versatile tight end Dalton Keene adds backup running back to resume in win over North Carolina". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  3. ^ Patterson, Luke (March 23, 2020). "Colorado Native TE Dalton Keene Checks Multiple Boxes for Broncos in Draft". SI.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Daniels, Mark (April 9, 2020). "Patriots: Tight end could become focal point in draft". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Niziolek, Mike (June 15, 2019). "'In the trenches' with Dalton Keene for a behind the scenes look at Virginia Tech's summer routine". Roanoke Times. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Niziolek, Mike (March 27, 2020). "ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Dalton Keene as one of the top tight ends available in 2020 NFL Draft". Roanoke Times. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  7. ^ Wood, Norm (April 21, 2020). "Hokies' Dalton Keene hopes his versatility leads to his name being called during the NFL draft". Daily Press. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Roche, Conor (April 25, 2020). "5 things to know about Patriots draft pick Dalton Keene". Boston.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  9. ^ "Dalton Keene Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  10. ^ "2020 NFL Draft Scout Dalton Keene College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Clements, Devon (April 24, 2020). "Patriots Select Virginia Tech TE Dalton Keene By Trading Back into 3rd Round". SI.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  12. ^ Kyed, Doug (April 25, 2020). "What Did Patriots See In Dalton Keene To Make Unprecedented Draft Trade?". NESN.com. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  13. ^ "Patriots Make A Series of Roster Transactions". Patriots.com. November 10, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  14. ^ "Patriots Make a Series of Roster Transactions". Patriots.com. December 5, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  15. ^ "Patriots Re-Sign LB Cassh Maluia; Place TE Dalton Keene and LB Raekwon McMillan on Injured Reserve". Patriots.com. August 7, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  16. ^ "Patriots release TE Dalton Keene". Patriots.com. August 21, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  17. ^ Erby, Glenn (October 4, 2022). "Eagles release TE Dalton Keene from the practice squad". Eagles Wire. USA Today. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  18. ^ DiLalla, Aric (October 15, 2022). "Broncos sign TE Dalton Keene to practice squad, release LS Joe Fortunato from practice squad". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  19. ^ DiLalla, Aric (December 27, 2022). "Broncos waive CB Michael Ojemudia". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  20. ^ McPherson, Chris (January 20, 2023). "Eagles elevate S Anthony Harris; sign TE Dalton Keene to a reserve/future contract". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  21. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-1-2023)". HoustonTexans.com. August 1, 2023.
  22. ^ "Texans announce initial 53-man roster". HoustonTexans.com. August 29, 2023.
  23. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-30-2023)". HoustonTexans.com. August 30, 2023.
  24. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (1-22-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. January 22, 2024.
  25. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (08-21-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. August 21, 2024.