The 2023 NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror. There were 259 players drafted over the three-day event, including 102 over the first two days.
One of those players was Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell. The former Cougar was a third-round pick by the Houston Texans. He got drafted with the 69th overall pick as the ninth wide receiver off the board.
However, what can Texan fans and fantasy football players expect from Dell in the NFL?
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What Did Nathaniel Dell Accomplish At Houston?
The former Cougar had 29 receptions for 428 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his first year at Houston. However, he took off the following season.
Dell broke out in 2021, totaling 90 receptions for 1,329 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the team in all three categories that year. Furthermore, the young wide receiver had 53 more receptions, 836 more receiving yards, and seven more touchdowns than any other player on the team.
While he could have declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, Dell returned last year. The former Cougar had an even better season, totaling 109 receptions for 1,398 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. Not only did he lead his team in every category, but Dell also finished second in the country in receptions while finishing first in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2022.
Is Nathaniel Dell A Good Fit For The Texans?
Texan fans were excited when the team spent a third-round pick on Dell. After watching the young receiver put on a show for the Cougars, Dell will now get a chance to make an impact on the Texans.
However, the rookie receiver will need to earn every snap this year. While Houston traded away Brandin Cooks this offseason, they signed Robert Woods and Noah Brown in free agency. Meanwhile, the Texans used a pair of Day 2 draft picks over the past two years on Nico Collins and John Metchie III. Furthermore, Dell wasn’t the only wide receiver the team drafted this year.
The Texans spent a sixth-round pick on Xavier Hutchinson. He had 254 receptions for 2,929 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in three years at Iowa State. While Dell had a terrific college career, the former Cougar has an uphill fight to become a fantasy star in the NFL.
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