NFL Rookie Watch @NFLRookieWatxh
Tank Dell is too QUICK
The Houston WR is one of the most shift players in this year’s NFL Draft.
Dell led all of college football in receiving yards last season with 1,398.
Tank Dell last season:
• 108 receptions (2nd in all of CFB)
• 1,399 yards (1st in all of CFB)
• 17 receiving TD (1st in all of CFB)
Dell reportedly created a lot of “buzz” among NFL scout this past week at the Senior Bowl.
Don’t SLEEP on the Houston WR![]()
NFL Rookie Watch @NFLRookieWatxh
Tank Dell’s route running ability is something ELSE
The Houston WR is one of the best route runners in this year’s NFL Draft class.
Dell is going to be SPECIAL.
NFL Rookie Watch @NFLRookieWatch Multiple NFL scouts and GM’s reportedly believe Tank Dell is the “best route runner” in this year’s Draft. Dell led all of college football last year in receiving yards and TD’s with 1,398 yards and 17 TD’s. Dell has met with the Bills, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Browns, Rams, and is planned to visit the Titans
NFL Rookie Watch @NFLRookieWatxh
Tank Dell’s twitch is something ELSE
Several NFL scouts reportedly believe Dell is the “top” route runner in this year’s NFL Draft.
Texans traded with the Rams to select Houston WR Nathaniel Dell with the No. 69 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Dell (5’8/165), better known by his nickname “Tank," is one of the smaller receivers in the draft but also one of the most explosive. A slippery player after the catch, Dell can turn any play into a long score, amassing 29 receiving touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Cougars. Dell is a shifty route runner who excels at creating separation and uses his quickness to evade defenders in the open field. Over the last two seasons, Dell ranked fifth in the FBS in yards after the catch (1,148) and led all receivers in explosive receptions (68). Drops, in addition to his size, are the two biggest areas of concern for Dell. In his lone season as a punt returner, Dell returned nine punts for 153 yards and a score. His special teams prowess only adds to his value as a playmaker. In Houston, Dell will join Nico Collins, Robert Woods, and John Metchie as the team's top wideouts. He could earn targets quickly without a target dominator in the Texans offense.
Apr 28, 2023 at 9:37 PM ET
The Houston Chronicle reports third-round WR Tank Dell will "likely play in the slot" with the Texans.
Dell was one of the top receivers in the Big 12 the last three years at Houston and size concerns have most projecting him to stay in the slot. He was one of the most targeted receivers with 291 targets the past two seasons. With Nico Collins, Robert Woods, and John Metchie the returning veterans in front of him, there is a path to the Texans' WR1 role for Dell, who was a target dominator in college. A strong preseason from Dell should see him open the year as a starter in three-wide sets.
SOURCE: Houston Chronicle
Apr 29, 2023, 10:24 AM ET
Texans WR Nathaniel "Tank" Dell said C.J. Stroud asked the team to take him in the 2023 draft.
Houston drafted Dell out of Houston with the 69th pick in the draft, a day after the Texans made Stroud the second pick, behind only Bryce Young. Dell said he and Stroud gelled at the NFL Combine in February, with Stroud complimenting Dell's route running ability. "Tell them to come get me," Dell told Stroud after the QB was drafted. The undersized Dell, who had 29 receiving scores in his final two collegiate seasons, is expected to be the Texans slot receiver this season. Over the last two seasons, Dell ranked fifth in the FBS in yards after the catch (1,148) and led all receivers in explosive receptions (68). Without much target competition, Dell could be a sneaky PPR selection in redraft formats.
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SOURCE: Chancellor Johnson on Twitter
May 3, 2023 at 11:16 AM ET
I’m just trying to understand - Is this a 12 team league and 60 rookies went before him?Pretty low risk at 6.01 in my rookie draft. I feel much better about this pick than my late second round selection of Andy Isabella a few years back.![]()
12 SF IDP so much deeper pool than just O. Still damn cheap.I’m just trying to understand - Is this a 12 team league and 60 rookies went before him?Pretty low risk at 6.01 in my rookie draft. I feel much better about this pick than my late second round selection of Andy Isabella a few years back.![]()
NFL Rookie Watch @NFLRookieWatxh
Tank Dell’s route running ability is something ELSE
Now, Dell gets to team up with CJ Stroud in Houston.
CJ Stroud and Tank Dell connecting for the FIRST time
A duo that Texans fans should get used to seeing.
Texans signed No. 69 overall pick Nathaniel Dell to a four-year contract.
Dell enters 2023 with little guaranteed in Houston, but plenty of possibility on a depth chart where no one has really stepped forward as a big target. The C.J. Stroud "asking the team to draft Dell" narrative probably helps Dell's case, but the Texans could work him in behind the scenes as Robert Woods, Nico Collins, Noah Brown, and John Metchie III all have a chance to post real playing time this year as well. Dell's a speculative WR4-5 in deeper leagues for now, but there is real upside.
SOURCE: Aaron Wilson on Twitter
May 16, 2023, 2:00 PM ET
DJ Bien-Aime @Djbienaime
Another note from OTAs. Very intrigued to see how 3rd round pick Tank Dell develops.
Yesterday, Tank was CJ Stroud’s favorite target(4 targets and 3 catches).
Tank’s ability to get in and out of his brakes is at a high level.
Want to see HOW he overcomes his size concern
Drew Dougherty @DoughertyDrew
OC Bobby Slowik said WR Tank Dell “doesn’t blink” on the field bc he’s taken the coaching really well. Very natural separator & he’s hit ground running.
He’s 5’8”, 165 lbs and will be 24 in October. What do you like most about him?It's all chatter til the real thing happens, but I targeted this cat specifically as my lotto ticket in rookie drafts.
He’s 5’8”, 165 lbs and will be 24 in October. What do you like most about him?It's all chatter til the real thing happens, but I targeted this cat specifically as my lotto ticket in rookie drafts.
He’s 5’8”, 165 lbs and will be 24 in October. What do you like most about him?It's all chatter til the real thing happens, but I targeted this cat specifically as my lotto ticket in rookie drafts.
Anyone know his yards per separation in college and where he ranked? This guy looks like a rich man's Kadarius Toney.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans observed third-round rookie Tank Dell was “open a lot” in offseason practices.
“Tank’ Dell comes in, providing his route-running ability,” Ryans said. “He’s been open a lot in OTAs. So that’s exciting.” Ludicrously productive at the University of Houston, Dell forged an off-field friendship with new Texans QB C.J. Stroud, which surely played a part in his Day 2 selection. It is going to be easy to get overly excited about Dell at the expense of veteran Robert Woods, but there is no question Dell is where the upside resides. It is just a matter of if he can establish a PPR floor first. Dell is an interesting late-round flier in receptions-based formats.
I’ll start off by saying I added Dell a lot as it just seemed like a value pick at the time - but OTA and other workouts before pads and hitting come into play always favor small quick twitch players. This news makes me happy but I realize it may not be that meaningful yet.Texans coach DeMeco Ryans observed third-round rookie Tank Dell was “open a lot” in offseason practices.“Tank’ Dell comes in, providing his route-running ability,” Ryans said. “He’s been open a lot in OTAs. So that’s exciting.” Ludicrously productive at the University of Houston, Dell forged an off-field friendship with new Texans QB C.J. Stroud, which surely played a part in his Day 2 selection. It is going to be easy to get overly excited about Dell at the expense of veteran Robert Woods, but there is no question Dell is where the upside resides. It is just a matter of if he can establish a PPR floor first. Dell is an interesting late-round flier in receptions-based formats.