NFL Draft prospect profile: Nathaniel “Tank” Dell

Measurements & Combine Results

Overview

A top-30 visit for the Buffalo Bills, Nathaniel “Tank” Dell is a redshirt senior from Daytona Beach, Florida. Prior to transferring to the University of Houston in 2020, Dell played at Independence Community College after transferring from Alabama A&M. Dell started all eight games his first season at Houston, finishing the year with 564 all-purpose yards. He followed it up with an even better season in 2021, putting up 90 receptions for 1,329 yards and 12 touchdowns. This earned him first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors. Dell’s 2021 was impressive, but his 2022 was even better.

As Houston football team captain this past year, he led the nation in receiving touchdowns (17), yards (1,398), and multi-touchdown games (6). His 109 receptions ranked second in the nation and were the second most in University of Houston history. This terrific stat-line led to a plethora of awards including First-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors (again), Dave Campbell’s Texas Football: best wide receiver, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football First-Team All-Texas honors, and Associated Press Third-Team All-American honors.

Positives

• Creates separation easily, and on all three levels.
• Quick, sudden, and decisive cuts on routes/in and out of breaks.
• Provides punt/kick returning ability.
• Very solid route runner.
• Tracks the ball well downfield.
• Video-game-like in his jukes after the catch.

"I love everything about @Tankdell4… Watching him is art."@GregJennings has high praise for @UHCougarFB WR Tank Dell 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/mhihDr2j8h

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 7, 2023

– The 33rd Team (The33rdTeamFB) April 7, 2023

Negatives

• Small and slim frame; could prevent from playing outside at the NFL level.
• Struggles with drops from time-to-time.
• Won’t outmuscle defenders for the ball.
• Has the tendency to try to do too much; causes him to get off balance on routes.
• Run blocking is a struggle.

Draft Projection

Tank Dell is an interesting prospect as he is one of the lightest and shortest players in history to enter the NFL Draft. It’s a cause for concern and is the main reason he isn’t higher on draft boards. It’s going to be crucial for Dell to gain some weight to make sure he doesn’t get pushed around against press coverage or when trying to make contested catches.

Despite the size concerns, Dell should still be an early-to-mid third round pick. His speed and fast-twitch route running makes him desirable to many NFL teams. He gets open, and if you get the ball in his hands, good things happen. Tank is a high risk, high reward-type player. He’ll need to be in the right system to succeed in the NFL.