Draft Analysis: Nathaniel Dell

December 30, 2022 /
  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 155 lb
  • College: Houston
  • Tape watched: SMU, Texas Tech, Memphis ’21, Cincinnati ’21, Auburn ’21
  • NFL Comparison: Tutu Atwell

Pros

  • Route Running
    If an undersized receiver sticks in the NFL, it is because he creates separation and runs routes well. Nathaniel Dell’s greatest calling card is his route running. Tempo, patience, and explosion are all attributes to watch as part of his route skills. He has a lightning fast route break and is technical in every aspect of his routes. He shows a great understanding of zone coverage and feeling out where to set up shop.
Absolute chef’s kiss of a fade route by Dell here. He holds his line and protects a sideline zone for the quarterback to fit in the pass. Dell shows excellent late hands and flattens out not a moment too soon. Perfection.
  • Explosiveness
    Every snap showcases the explosive play style of Dell. Whether it comes in and out of route breaks, or with the ball in his hands, Nathaniel Dell has a start-stop that creates matchup issues for opposing defense.
  • Hands
    Outside of a focus drop in the endzone against Memphis in 2021, Dell shows a great ability to track and catch the football. He has great body awareness and focus on the sidelines.
  • Release
    A major strong point of Dell’s, his release has several nuances in it. He can set up corners with hesitations, jab steps, and even showed nice shoulder manipulation when hiding his center mass during press.
Great release, bad drop.

Midline

Contested Catches
A lack of physicality and a small catch radius limits Nathaniel Dell in contested catch situations. He needs quite a bit of separation for a quarterback to make safe throws.

Cons

  • Blocking
    A receiver at 155 lb will never be asked to make an impact in the run game, however it does limit his ability to see the field in one and two receiver sets.
  • Versatility
    Dell will most likely be penciled into a slot receiver role in the NFL. He has the release and route running ability to develop outside, but his size is limiting.
  • Size
    Listed at 5’10”, scouts expect Dell to test around 5’8″. This is important to note that a sub 5’10” receiver has major hurdles to clear when transitioning to the NFL. There is not a lot of success from receivers that size historically, and when there is, major outliers exist such as speed, or evasiveness. These are two traits I am not sure Dell checks the boxes with, at least until April at the combine.

Overview

A hyper-productive, playmaking receiver at Houston, Nathaniel Dell looks to infuse an NFL offense with speed and acceleration. While his size may limit his usage, he fits the role of recent drafted receivers like Rondale Moore, Wandale Robinson, Greg Dortch, and Calvin Austin. Dell led the NCAA with touchdown catches. Production like that is hard to ignore, and if Dell smashes his combine, he may end up drafted sooner than later.