Texans took immediate draft advice from QB C.J. Stroud

Houston WR Nathaniel "Tank" Bell Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Texans drafted third-round receiver on advice from new franchise quarterback

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 5/4/23

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and Houston wide receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell met at the end of February at the NFL Scouting Combine and the two instantly hit it off.

So when the Houston Texans drafted Stroud second overall in last week’s draft, the 21-year-old signal-caller knew exactly which receiver he wanted his new team to go get for him.

“He talked to me after the Combine, he was just like, ‘I like how you run routes, like how you play football,’” Dell told KPRC 2 News in Houston. “…After he got drafted, I sent him congrats and then I was like, ‘Tell them to come get me.’ Then he was like, ‘I got you, trust me.’ … The next day I texted him and he Face Timed me and was like, ‘Man, I told them I want you.’ So I was like OK it can happen.”

Demeco Ryans on Tank Dell staying in Houston and joining the Texans pic.twitter.com/21rGTebUM5
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) April 29, 2023

The Texans listened to their new franchise QB and grabbed Dell with the sixth pick in the third round (69th overall), ahead of other top-ranked receivers including Jalin Hyatt, Cedric Tillman, Josh Downs and Tyler Scott.

Dell has had as impressive of a two-year stretch as any receiver in college football over the last two seasons. He had a breakout 2021 season, catching 90 passes for 1,329 yards and 12 touchdowns, one which he followed up with 109 receptions, 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns during the 2022 campaign at the University of Houston -- just a short 20-minute drive from NRG Stadium.

A speedy and explosive receiver, Dell is a strong route runner who has shown good bursts in and out of routes and is great at creating separation in tight coverage. He could quickly become Stroud’s go-to option among a less-than-remarkable group of Texans receivers that otherwise includes the likes of Robert Woods, Nico Collins, Amari Rodgers and John Metchie.

The #Texans got one of the most electric players in the draft with Tank Dell.

A super shifty route runner who was unguardable at the Senior Bowl, a human joystick with the ball in his hands who gets you YAC and should immediately return kicks/punts. pic.twitter.com/7qph26mSgH
— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) April 29, 2023