Tank Dell is on a roll.
Since he was drafted 69th overall from the University of Houston to his home town team, Dell has made a name for himself. Whether that was immediately making noise as the wide receiver that fellow rookie C.J. Stroud wanted to play with or exploding in his pre-season debut against the New England Patriots.
This off-season, the question isn’t “How can Houston find a #1 Wide Receiver?”
It’s a lot closer to “What receiver can best compliment Tank Dell?”
He’s been so, so sharp this year #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) November 26, 2023
To no one’s surprise, that momentum has carried into the Texans fabulous debut season under new head coach DeMeco Ryans. Dell has 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. It’s a huge part of why C.J. Stroud has cemented the NFL Rookie of the Year Award with some calling him the greatest rookie quarterback of all time. It’s additionally been an undeniable factor in how Houston finds themselves at 6-5 and firmly in the AFC wild-card picture.
Dell is likely to be gifted with an All-Rookie selection in addition to playing in Houston’s first playoff game since 2019. The possibility of a Pro Bowl nod from fans he’s helped fuel to huge fantasy campaigns. There is one accomplishment, however, that can’t be ignored.
Tank Dell just might be the next great Texans wide receiver.
He's even gotten the stamp of approval from the THE greatest Texans wide receiver, Andre Johnson. @Tankdell4 | @IanGrutman | @davidcanter pic.twitter.com/aq7hfzNX7S
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) November 27, 2023
For a franchise that’s boasted All-Pros like Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, Dell looks set to take Houston’s rookie records.
Dell already surpassed Johnson with his seventh touchdown against Jacksonville to take the record for most touchdown receptions by a Texans rookie. Next up, the total yardage landmark looks well within reach for Dell.
Johnson holds the record currently with 976 yards in 2003, Hopkins himself boasted 802 in 2013. Now, one decade after Hopkins and two decades after Johnson, Dell looks like he may obliterate those totals.
Tank Dell finished with 145 Rec yds, most by a Texans rookie in franchise history.
And the Texans had Andre Johnson and Deandre Hopkins
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) September 24, 2023
He’ll need just 267 yards over the team’s next six games to pass the record. At his current pace, he could very likely pass that total with two or three games remaining on the schedule. It would be a fitting ending to see Dell’s campaign end as Houston’s first ever rookie wide receiver to have 1,000 yards.
Fans will have to keep watching Dell’s explosive offensive output alongside rookie phenomenon C.J. Stroud. Houston’s offense has never looked better.