Nathaniel Dell 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• Named First Team All-AAC
• Lead team in receptions (90), yards (1,329), touchdowns (12) 

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Spread 
• 2022 projected role: Slot receiver 

Pros: Nathaniel Dell has exceptional short-area quickness that he uses to be productive in multiple ways. At Houston, they often send Dell in motion where he can either take the hand off or he can be thrown the ball quickly so he can have space to make defenders miss. Dell also thrives when he lines up in the slot position and can quickly get open against zone defenses. Once Dell has the ball in his hands, he turns into a big-play threat. He has the ability to make defenders miss in space and finds creases in defense to get plus yardage. Dell is a tough tackle for any defender one-on-one in space. Dell has the potential to be one of the best playmakers in college football this year. 

Cons: Nathaniel Dell’s deficiencies stem from his lack of size. Not only is Dell not tall, but he is also thin. This affects his coordinator’s confidence in putting him at the outside receiver position. In the reps he does play outside, he has to try and win with speed in his releases because bigger defensive backs can just get into his frame and really disrupt him. Dell has shown the ability to get deep and become a vertical threat but his lack of length affects his catch radius, forcing his quarterback to make perfect throws to get the completion. It appears to just be really difficult for Dell to make catches with defenders draped all over him. I believe that at this point in his career Dell should be viewed as a slot receiver with a tremendous amount of upside.

Nathaniel Dell NFL Draft Scouting Report by Keith Sanchez