Tank Dell NFL Draft Scouting Report

WR, Houston Cougars

Tank Dell is a junior wide receiver for the Houston Cougars who originally transferred in from Independence Community College. In Dell’s career at Houston, he has been highly productive and has consistently seen his production and utilization increase, finishing with more than 100 receptions, 1300 yards, and 15 touchdowns in the 2022 season. While Dell has a slight frame, he profiles as an explosive playmaking receiver prospect that can be used as a versatile offensive weapon, a vertical big-play threat, and also has value as a special teams returner. 

Dell takes the majority of his snaps as a slot receiver but has shown the ability to line up as an outside receiver, line up in the backfield, or be in motion to have free access releases at the snap. When lined up as an outside receiver or in the slot, Dell uses speed using rapid foot-fire to win against press situations. Dell’s quickness has the ability to make defensive backs miss—if they miss Dell with their punch, he has the ability to immediately get upfield and stack defensive backs. Dell runs quick, snappy, and precise routes, and is difficult for most defensive backs to match and mirror within his route.  With the ball in his hands, Dell is an electric player. He has great short-area quickness and change of direction which allows him to make defenders miss in close confined spaces. Dell also profiles to be a quick accelerator and has the speed to simply outrun defenders and defeat pursuit angles. 

The concerns about Dell as a receiver prospect will come from his lack of overall size. Dell has a slight frame, which brings about the concern of him being a slot-only receiver. When Dell can’t win with speed in press situations, defenders can get their hands on him and change his route stem throwing off his timing. Dell also does not appear to have a wide catch radius. He can make contested catches but does not appear to have the arm length to consistently make contested catches. 

Overall, Dell is an explosive versatile receiver that can be viewed as an offensive weapon because of his ability to be effective playing in multiple alignments.

Top Reasons to Buy In:

• Playmaking ability  
• Big-play ability 
• Opportunity to be utilized as an offensive weapon 
• Special teams (punt returner) 

Top Reasons For Concern:

•  Slight frame 
•  Injury concerns 
•  Specific (limited) role 

Size (NFL Combine):

Height: 5′ 8”

Weight: 165 lbs

Arm Length: 30 1/2”

Hand Size: 8 5/8”

Athletic Testing (NFL Combine):

40-yard Dash: 4.49s

Vertical Jump: TBD

Broad Jump: 10′ 1”

Short-Shuttle: TBD

Three-Cone: TBD

Bench Reps: TBD

Ideal Role: Slot receiver (offensive weapon)  

Scheme Fit: Spread

TDN Consensus Grade: 78.00/100 (Third-Round Value)

• Sanchez Grade: 78.00/100

Written By: Keith Sanchez 

Exposures: Texas Tech (2022), Kansas (2022), Tulane (2022), SMU (2022)

Tank Dell NFL Draft Scouting Report. Add him to your big board here.