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Dalton Keene

Dalton Keene
Personal information
Born: (1999-04-14) April 14, 1999 (age 26)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:251 lb (114 kg)
Career information
Position:Tight end
High school:Chatfield
(Littleton, Colorado)
College:Virginia Tech (2017–2019)
NFL draft:2020: 3rd round, 101st pick
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Receptions:3
Receiving yards:16
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Dalton Keene (born April 14, 1999) is an American professional football tight end. He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Early life

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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

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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

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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

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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 (first stint)

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

Denver Broncos

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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)

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

Houston Texans

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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]

Keene re-signed with the Texans on August 5, 2025, and was released on August 22.[26]

References

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  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.
  26. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-5-2025)". HoustonTexans.com. August 5, 2025.
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