Dell on furthering football career as Texans' draft pick: 'I'm coming to give them everything I got'

Nathaniel “Tank” Dell’s collegiate career was basically history when he sent a long shot direct message (DM) to the Houston Texans on Instagram. 

“Don’t let me leave the city,” the former University of Houston (UH) wide receiver wrote. 

It’s unclear whether the Texans replied, but on Friday during the third round of the 2023 National Football League (NFL) Draft, they made a trade with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire the pick that snagged Dell.

According to a report on the Texans’ website, Dell amassed 199 receptions for 2,727 yards and 29 touchdowns during his previous two seasons in the Third Ward. 

Originally a student-athlete at Alabama A&M University (AAMU), he transferred to Independence Community College (ICC) in Kansas in 2019 before ultimately heading to UH in 2020.

The same fans who saw the 23-year-old Daytona Beach, Florida native leave opposing defensive backs in the dust at TDECU Stadium won’t have to go far to witness his transition to the pros. 

"They for sure can expect some excitement," the 5-foot-8, 165-pound Dell said in the report. "I'm coming to give them everything I got."

Dell’s surprising selection came a little more than 24 hours after Houston pulled off a shocker of a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for the No. 3 pick and pass rusher Will Anderson, Jr. from the University of Alabama. 

The move followed the Texans using the second pick to land Ohio State University gunslinger C.J. Stroud. 

In Dell, Stroud has a weapon who can go downfield in a hurry from the slot, as well as secure great field position as a returner. 

“Our Tank’s got speed,” the Texans said in a tweet.

Per Houston Daily, Dell’s last game in a Cougars uniform was UH’s 23-16 Independence Bowl victory over the University of Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL) Ragin’ Cajuns the day before Christmas Eve 2022. 

Dell, then a junior, hauled in two of senior field general Clayton Tune’s three touchdown tosses, the publication reported. 

UH fans had witnessed Tune, who entered the draft himself and was picked by the Arizona Cardinals, and Dell play catch each Saturday the last three years. 

The trade that enabled Dell to stay in Space City came after the Texans executed to nab Pennsylvania State University offensive lineman Juice Scruggs. 

Simply put, the second day of the draft was essentially about building the offense that Stroud will command.

The Texans, who went on to make more trades on Saturday, picked up a total of nine players.