Nathaniel “Tank” Dell (Texans) NFL Draft Preview
Post-Draft Fantasy Impact
Draft Team: Houston Texans, Round 3, 6th pick (69th overall)
Another wide receiver who saw a jump in draft capital from his pre-draft projection, Nathaniel “Tank” Dell was the Texans’ first offensive choice after drafting CJ Stroud. That wasn’t a coincidence either, as it’s reported that CJ Stroud called the front office after he was chosen by the Texans and requested that they draft Dell.
“Right after the Combine we were texting each other,” Dell said, via Chandler Johnson of KPRC. “He talked to me after the Combine, he said ‘I like how you run routes, I like how you play football’ he said he had been watching me and stuff like that. I told him vice versa and I appreciated him. After he got drafted, I sent him congrats and I told him, ‘Tell them come get me.’ He was like, ‘I got you. Trust me.’ The next day, he FaceTimed me out of nowhere. I texted him and he FaceTimed me, and he was like, ‘I told them I want you.’ So I was like, OK, it could happen. And then I got that call.”
While you could point to the Stroud “request,” Dell has the ability to back up an early third-round valuation and being drafted over players like last year’s Biletnikoff winner Jalin Hyatt. While he is older than most players in his class (turns 24 in October,) and has a small frame that doesn’t scream WR1 in the NFL, he’s one of the best playmakers in the class and reminds me a lot of the just departed Brandin Cooks.
He has a fairly wide open route to the depth chart, with only Robert Woods, Nico Collins, and John Metchie III ahead of him for targets at wide receiver. And given he already has a rapport with Stroud, he could potentially eclipse those two solid but unproven options, and Woods has become an injury risk in his advancing age. That being said, it’s important to remember he also has Dalton Schultz to contend with, a player who will likely see significant targets as a safety net for the Texans’ young quarterback.
Dell’s ADP is currently somewhere around 20-25 in rookie drafts, placing him as a late second-round, early third-round potential selection. There are so many variables here, that Dell is a risky selection at that valuation. The Texans are in a full rebuild, you would be attaching yourself to Stroud’s valuation, and you don’t really know the potential around him. Combining that with his age and frame, and a mid to late second would be too high of a price. There is unbelievable talent on film, so it’s possible he is the exception, not the rule, but I wouldn’t reach for Dell.
Nathaniel “Tank” Dell NFL Draft Preview
In the running for the most fun tape of the class, Nathaniel “Tank” Dell is a human highlight reel who put up 199 catches, 29 TDs, and over 2,700 yards in his final two seasons at Houston. The obvious concerns are around his size and hands, but it can be assumed that teams will overlook that to try and get a playmaker like Dell on their team. Given his explosive upside and his punt-returning bonus, Dell will be a popular sleeper long shot taken in dynasty drafts.
MEASURABLES
- 5’8″ 165 lbs
- 40-yard dash – 4.49 seconds
- Vertical Jump – N/A
- Broad Jump – 10’1″
STATS AT HOUSTON
- 2022: 109 catches, 1398 yards, 17 TDs
- 2021: 90 catches, 1329 yards, 12 TDs
- 2020: 29 catches, 428 yards, 3 TD
POSITIVES
We should probably start with that production. While the AAC will never be mistaken for the SEC, the sheer number of catches, yards, and explosive touchdowns speaks to the type of player that Tank could be at the next level. While his size screams slot, he was effective across multiple positions for Houston and showed real ability on the outside. Route running is excellent, with snap change of direction that wrong-foots defenders. Easy separation across most routes. Terrific with the ball in his hands, can make defenders miss in a phone booth (do we still use that expression?)
NEGATIVES
Size is of course the biggest concern. He’s small even for the smaller wide receivers in the league. And while we have seen smaller receivers have success, he will be a test case all his own. Size also impedes some of his positional versatility, and press coverage against quick corners will be tough to deal with. Simply had too many drops, even for someone that saw as many targets as he did. Will have to continue to work on contested catch and catch toughness.
GRADE: B
Tank Dell is one of the most exciting players in the class and will be a significant upside draft pick in both the NFL and your dynasty draft. Size looks likely to limit his effectiveness, but he’s so electric with the ball in his hands, that if he can adjust to the NFL strength and speed, he could be a PPR magnet at the next level. Dell will need the right scheme and approach to meet his skill set but he’s a terrific player to target late in your draft due to his potential upside.
Patrick Whelan is a 34-year-old fantasy football writer, dynasty league enthusiast, and DFS player based out of Chicago. When he’s not watching his Detroit Lions disappoint on Sundays, he’s crafting brand strategy for Gatorade, rooting on his Michigan Wolverines, or cooking elaborate meals. You can follow him on Twitter @PdiddyWay
