Nathaniel “Tank” Dell (Houston WR/RS) -- DRAFTED BY HOUSTON #69

[philafan4o8]

Tank Dell is probably one of my favorite players in this draft. He is the definition of playmaker. He has game breaking speed, route running is solid and his return ability is great. I think every Eagles fan has run out of patience with Quez Walkins at this point. For me the back to back Dallas and Saints games were the last straw. The Super Bowl was just the cherry on top. Tank can come in immediately and provide that slot WR and true burner that we need to stretch the defense a little bit more for our offense. He can line up on the outside, slot, in the backfield, wherever. I think he can be used like a Tyreek or Waddle. Immediate game breaker at returner to replace Covey. 
 

Had a chance to find out about Tank at the Senior bowl. Tank was pretty much unguardable the entire week. I assume his stock shot up after the senior bowl.

I am not sure where he will get drafted. If I had to bet, I would say second round. I think it is highly possible the Eagles trade the 30th pick to gather more picks. If they do move back, Tank Dell should get some consideration.

 

 

[Road to Victory]

Nice player but with probable holes at DE, DT, CB. RB and G, I think a slot receiver is way down the list. We’ll see how they fill those holes by draft day. 

[kiwieagle]

Expect that we will have a lot of needs: DE, OL, CB/S (expect one of them), DT, RB.

But #3 WR is one as well. We need someone more dependable in the slot. This was a year backwards for Quez and regardless, I dont see us giving him a 2nd contract with Brown and Smith the primary guys here so this makes a lot of sense. I do querry if we will be able to afford a pick that high though or if this need is something more for a mid-round pick

[philafan4o8]

At this point it looks like the Eagles formula is build the lines, build the offense through the draft, and build the rest of the defense through FA and trades.

Honestly think they try and get more weapons around Hurts at some point in the first two days. I am not sure premiere lineman will still be there at 10 so I would expect the Eagles to trade back to get more picks or take a DB (if Bradberry does not resign)

that said, tank Dell would put this offense in another stratosphere and sure up our return spot for years to come.

[Cochis_Calhoun]

2 hours ago, philafan4o8 said:

At this point it looks like the Eagles formula is build the lines, build the offense through the draft, and build the rest of the defense through FA and trades.

Honestly think they try and get more weapons around Hurts at some point in the first two days. I am not sure premiere lineman will still be there at 10 so I would expect the Eagles to trade back to get more picks or take a DB (if Bradberry does not resign)

that said, tank Dell would put this offense in another stratosphere and sure up our return spot for years to come.

A lot of measurements have him at 5'9" (none have him above 5'10") and he weighs 163lbs,  that makes him 3 inches shorter and at least 7 lbs lighter than Smitty, you can get away with being thin or short but not both, he may have lit up college coverage but at the NFL level he's a big question mark, he isn't especially good at contested catches, has a touch of the drops (20 over the last two years) and played most of his time in the slot in a middling conference, he'd be an intriguing pick in the 3rd or 4th but the second is a stretch.

If I'm taking slot in the second I'd be hoping Smith - Njigba drops and we can trade out of 30, or more realistically take Zay Flowers or Josh Downs not much bigger but tested at a slightly higher college level.

[philafan4o8]

1 hour ago, Cochis_Calhoun said:

A lot of measurements have him at 5'9" (none have him above 5'10") and he weighs 163lbs,  that makes him 3 inches shorter and at least 7 lbs lighter than Smitty, you can get away with being thin or short but not both, he may have lit up college coverage but at the NFL level he's a big question mark, he isn't especially good at contested catches, has a touch of the drops (20 over the last two years) and played most of his time in the slot in a middling conference, he'd be an intriguing pick in the 3rd or 4th but the second is a stretch.

If I'm taking slot in the second I'd be hoping Smith - Njigba drops and we can trade out of 30, or more realistically take Zay Flowers or Josh Downs not much bigger but tested at a slightly higher college level.

I respect it but his game breaking ability both at WR and returner I would find it hard to see him slip in or past the 3rd but hey you might be right.

Njigba is my WR1 in this draft. I would be absolutely stunted if he makes it to 30. If he does, you run that card in immediately

[Cochis_Calhoun]

16 hours ago, philafan4o8 said:

I respect it but his game breaking ability both at WR and returner I would find it hard to see him slip in or past the 3rd but hey you might be right.

Njigba is my WR1 in this draft. I would be absolutely stunted if he makes it to 30. If he does, you run that card in immediately

I think Jeremiah has us drafting him at #30 in his first mock,  he's a talented guy but he's got injury concerns and I think the theory is he'll suffer from even worst Justin Jefferson syndrome where people wonder if a receiver only put up big numbers in a system with another great receiver taking the heat off him.

Are you getting a Justin Jefferson or are you getting a Terrace Marshall is the thinking?

[judunno]

Got a little DJax to his game. Destroyed folks at the Senior Bowl practices. Punt Returner. Worth a day 3 pick (if he makes it that far). Always wanted a super quick guy in the slot. He tracks the ball extremely well and catches with his hands. Sorry Quez aka Pop Tart.

 

[bobokd1]

From the highlight video I am sold, he looks great!

[philafan4o8]

@Moderator12 can you connect this duplicate thread 

 

[brkmsn]

On 2/14/2023 at 6:46 AM, philafan4o8 said:

 I think every Eagles fan has run out of patience with Quez Walkins at this point.

I thought you knew me better than that ...

[philafan4o8]

1 minute ago, brkmsn said:

I thought you knew me better than that ...

Lol you still on the gravy train?

[brkmsn]

Just now, philafan4o8 said:

Lol you still on the gravy train?

He had a disappointing season, but he acknowledges that. I want to see how that motivates him. 2 seasons ago, he looked like a solid WR2 candidate. I have nothing against bringing in competition. I just have a feeling he's going to really put in the work this offseason. 

[philafan4o8]

54 minutes ago, brkmsn said:

He had a disappointing season, but he acknowledges that. I want to see how that motivates him. 2 seasons ago, he looked like a solid WR2 candidate. I have nothing against bringing in competition. I just have a feeling he's going to really put in the work this offseason. 

I don’t disagree with anything you said but I am still sick of him. Both can be true lol. They need to bring in legitimate competition. Honestly not sure if Watkins is a better slot wr than G Ward at this point

[Moderator12]

3 hours ago, philafan4o8 said:

@Moderator12 can you connect this duplicate thread 

 

Done

[judunno]

9 hours ago, philafan4o8 said:

@Moderator12 can you connect this duplicate thread 

 

Sorry about that... search fail on my part :)

[philafan4o8]

7 hours ago, judunno said:

Sorry about that... search fail on my part 🙂

No worries man. Happens to everyone including me from time to time

[judunno]

Measured in at 5'8... sheesh.

[judunno]

On 2/15/2023 at 2:17 PM, philafan4o8 said:

I respect it but his game breaking ability both at WR and returner I would find it hard to see him slip in or past the 3rd but hey you might be right.

Njigba is my WR1 in this draft. I would be absolutely stunted if he makes it to 30. If he does, you run that card in immediately

Nah. We don't need a WR in round 1. Our #3 receiver will be lucky to see 50 targets when you have the likes of Brown, Smith, Goedert, and this running game. Additionally paying the price for another RD 1 WR isn't the best way to spend that limited cap space. Maybe if they trade down and get some extra picks they can grab someone reliable on day 2 or 3 if/when they move Quez.

[Cochis_Calhoun]

5 hours ago, judunno said:

Measured in at 5'8... sheesh.

Jesus, I'd seen a few reports saying his college measurement of 5'10 was 'optimistic' but 5'8? So he's shorter than Steve Smith Sr and lighter than Devonta Smith?  Like I said earlier in the thread, you can be short or light and be a successful at receiver in the NFL but you can't be both.

He'll be another Tutu Atwell, drafted early rounds and ends up as a returner / WR#4

[judunno]

12 hours ago, Cochis_Calhoun said:

Jesus, I'd seen a few reports saying his college measurement of 5'10 was 'optimistic' but 5'8? So he's shorter than Steve Smith Sr and lighter than Devonta Smith?  Like I said earlier in the thread, you can be short or light and be a successful at receiver in the NFL but you can't be both.

He'll be another Tutu Atwell, drafted early rounds and ends up as a returner / WR#4

It's a different NFL though since people can't really destroy players anymore. Plus the contact rules give little quick guys a bit of an advantage. He'd be fine as a return specialist but I'm not drafting him earlier than the 5th. Somebody may if he runs a ridiculous time at the combine or something. Looks like he was impressive at the Senior Bowl but those measurements will surely scare teams of and he'll be a luxury pick for most. Both Smith's that you mentioned can make contested catches... this guy not so much. 

[Erica]

Not with that height. Pass. 

[philafan4o8]

Unofficial 4.5 at the 40…ouch. I thought he was going to be in the low 4.4s or high 4.3s

[judunno]

40 minutes ago, philafan4o8 said:

Unofficial 4.5 at the 40…ouch. I thought he was going to be in the low 4.4s or high 4.3s

Yeah... that may hurt a bit more now that his official 5'8 height is out there. I was expecting more from the WRs in general. To be fair it looks like guys are running slow today. Players that I thought would run 4.3s weren't close.

[Moderator5]

Houston #69