2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nathaniel Dell (WR – Houston)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Nathaniel Dell.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nathaniel Dell (WR – Houston)

Nathaniel Dell (WR – Houston)

5’10” – 165 lbs.

Background:

Nickname is Tank. Originally attended Alabama A&M, where he spent one year and caught 12-364-3 (30.3) before transferring to Community College for one season (52-776-8, 14.7) and then Houston. Led the Cougars with 29-428-3 (14.8) in the shortened 2020 season, then put together two outstanding seasons of 90-1,329-12 (14.8) and 109-1,398-17 (12.8) to conclude his collegiate career.

Positives:

One of the most productive receivers in this year’s class, with two monster campaigns in 2021 and 2022. Typically lined up in the slot this past year (67%), but played outside on 51.3% of his career snaps in school. Looks fast and explosive coming out of his stance, eating up cushions quickly. Shows some attention to detail with his footwork as a route-runner; ran routes to all three levels of the field in school and is willing to work the middle of the field as well. Cuts at the route stem are usually sharp. Overall flexibility looks good. Makes good adjustments to pluck throws away from his frame. Able to track the ball over his shoulder, and has been an effective deep threat over the past two years, usually off of outside releases during the games reviewed. Elusive and can be difficult to catch with the ball in his hands.

Negatives:

Will turn 24 in October. Smaller and thinner than a typical pro receiver, which may limit him to the slot. Some releases are too complex and may struggle to get off the line quickly enough when jammed at the pro level. Tree was relatively simple, and was manufactured touches on hitches, shallow crosses, and other routes of that nature. Would like to see him work back to the ball more consistently. Dropped twenty passes over the past two years. May struggle to come down with contested catches on a regular basis given his frame. Effort as a blocker can be perfunctory.

Summary:

A highly productive college receiver with an impressive combination of speed and flexibility to put stress on opposing secondaries from the slot, and who can be dangerous after the catch because of his elusiveness, but who is also smaller than your typical pro receiver and may find it difficult to release at the line against more physical pro defensive backs. Could conceivably put himself in the second-day conversation with a strong pre-draft process, but as of now, looks more like an early third-day option.

Projection: Round 4