ScoutIndex

NE NE

Shane Zylstra

TE

Shane Zylstra plays TE in the NFL. He's currently with NE, in his 6th season in the league. His yac ability stands out most — the 81st percentile at the position. Across 4 NFL seasons, he has totaled 18 catches for 136 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Size

6'4", 240#

College

Minnesota State

Draft

—

Seasons

2021–2026

2024 ScoutIndex Rating · TE

Methodology
49.3

62th percentile among TEs · limited sample

2 games · 1 targets

Role×0.14-0.47
Hands×0.1+0.42
Volume×0.12-0.87
Total EPA×0.22-0.41
EPA/target×0.3+0.33
Yards/target×0.12+0.61

2024 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speedno data▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among TEs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burstno data▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine TEs.

Agilityno data▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine TEs (faster = higher).

Size24▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the TE cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Receiving

Hands61▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat69▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability81▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share38▶

Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.

Air-Yards Share47▶

Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.

Impact

Efficiency74▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.

Volume11▶

Total targets this season.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2025DET40.51320
2024DET49.32122
2022DET46.7811604
2021DET36.23334

Career profile

Shane Zylstra has appeared in 14 regular-season games across 4 NFL seasons on file, all with DET.

As a receiver he has caught 18 passes for 136 yards and 4 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2022 with DET: 60 yards and 4 touchdowns in 8 games.

Career highs (regular season)

2024 splits

regular season

2024 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 8TEN—41.9
Week 11JAX1 rec, 22 yds, 0 TD53.4

Shane Zylstra — common questions

What position does Shane Zylstra play?
Shane Zylstra is listed as a TE.
Which teams has Shane Zylstra played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Shane Zylstra has played for DET (2021–2025).
Where did Shane Zylstra go to college?
Shane Zylstra played college football at Minnesota State.
How many touchdowns has Shane Zylstra scored?
Shane Zylstra has 4 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (4 receiving).
What is Shane Zylstra's ScoutIndex Rating?
Shane Zylstra rated 40.5 for 2025, the 23rd percentile among TEs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Also from Minnesota State