From catching TDs in community college to taking the Texans to the playoffs, Boardroom caught up with the professional route runner on becoming a star in Space City.
Bumper-to-bumper traffic is the only thing that can slow down Tank Dell.
Whipping through Houston after Texans training camp, the 5-8 flash from Florida with the best mits in the Lone Star State goes hands-free to take a call from Boardroom. Even over Bluetooth, Tank’s infectious spirit and Kodak Black drawl shine brighter than the sinking sun beating on the Texas highway that crams candy paint Cadillacs and oversized pickup trucks.
No matter the weather, Tank is unphased by heat, humidity, or any other element trying to impede his pace or reroute his ultimate destination.
Surviving a shooting in the offseason and a rookie run cut short by a broken fibula, Tank Dell is just as tough as his name suggests. His upbeat energy, down-to-earth politeness, and dog-like work ethic are why coach DeMeco Ryans touts Tank as his favorite player and why MVP candidate CJ Stroud told the Texans to take Tank in the 2023 NFL Draft.
“Tank is inspirational to me,” Stroud told Boardroom. “Not only is he a good football player, but who he is off the field? He’s kind, he’s always smiling, and he’s been through a lot in life.”
Entering his second NFL season as a fantasy favorite and preferred target of reigning Rookie of the Year CJ Stroud, the third-round pick is miles away from where his football journey started, even if it’s the same set of wheels that got him there.
“Nobody cared to see the Houston Texans play until the end of [last] season,” Dell told Boardroom. “This year? Off the jump, everybody is gonna wanna watch us play.”
Starting the season against the Indianapolis Colts, Tank’s Texans are already considered a contender with multiple national TV games and inordinate local love. Providing the pulse is the professional route runner with Hollywood tatted on his forearm and Balenciaga atop his feet.
In fast fashion, Dell has endeared himself amongst Houston fans and the front office as one of their own. He’s earning favor with a franchise quarterback and upper management in the right market at the right time.
Heading into the second season of a $5.7 million contract, Boardroom spoke with Dell and his QB about what winning looks like in Texas on and off the field.
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Everything Earned
Nathaniel Jasper “Tank” Dell Jr. is a football player’s football player, even if his stature suggests otherwise.
The 165-pound lightning bolt from Daytona Beach starred in high school at Mainland High, navigating the same hallways once walked by Denzel Washington and Vince Carter. While said stars from sandy South Florida found fame in powder blue pastures come college, Tank made it from the mud. One year running routes at an HBCU in Huntsville, AL, led to catching touchdowns at a JUCO in Kansas.
Grinding is not always glamorous. But for Tank, it paid off, and he soon got his big break in the Lone Star State.
“U of H was one of the three teams that gave me an opportunity out of JUCO,” Dell said. “After my first year of playing at UH? I’m like, ‘I’m never leaving here.’ I have tremendous love for the city.”
In amateur ascent at the University of Houston and professional privilege, Clutch City has claimed Dell, and he’s done so back.
Akin to Hakeem Olajuwon in the ‘80s, Tank transitioned from collegiate Cougar to Texas pro, all without changing area codes. To do so, he’d have to phone a friend.
“Before CJ was drafted? I hit him up in January saying, ‘Don’t let me leave the city!’” said Dell, who became an admirer of CJ’s game from afar.
On Day 1 of the NFL Draft, the Texans took Stroud second overall, making them the face of their franchise. On Day 2, the new quarterback stayed true to his hopes of keeping Tank in Houston.
“Word got to the coaching staff and he Facetime’d me the second day of the draft,” Dell said, “I give him all the props; he played probably the biggest role.”
Within a matter of hours, CJ and Tank were Texans teammates, pulling up in the parking lot of the team facilities to discuss how they were going to turn a three-win franchise into an immediate contender.
“The night that I got drafted, CJ flew out here,” said Dell. “We linked up and chopped it up the whole night with Jalen Pitre talking about how we wanted to change the organization. We talked about our goals for the upcoming season, and it’s crazy how it all worked out.”
Despite being undersized and overlooked coming into the league as a rookie, Tank wasn’t shy in stating his goals for himself and the team. But it wasn’t his talk that won over Texans’ leadership.
“He’s truly working on his game,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said in 2023. “He’s really detailed in his route-running ability. That’s the one thing that sets him apart. He’s very detailed in his approach, how he practices throughout the week.”
“Never not working,” Stroud said. “I tell him to slow down, but he’s just inspirational.”
For Tank Dell, the feeling is mutual.
Third Coast Combination
Stroud is the toast of Texas. He has the admiration and respect not only of his teammates but upper management and fans.
Like Tank, CJ is a God-fearing man with a heart of gold. Just the same, he has a dog that comes from being doubted on the road to success, making their connection deeper than just one season of playing together.
“In high school? He was getting counted out, and it was the same for me,” Dell said. “I know my quarterback is riding for me. He’ll sell out the other team and I’ll be on the same type of time. It makes it fun.”
Consequently, Stroud and Dell understand each other deeper than most tandems. Their practice habits and gameday giddiness are aligned, and their childhood sees similar parallels. That much respect allows them to lock in, anticipate actions, and make plays on Sunday.
“When you see him on game day? He’s loose even if he looks stale-faced,” said Dell. “He’s locked in, but he’s loose. He’s smiling. We have fun in the huddle, I don’t even know how to explain it. We never stress, we’re never too high and we’re never too low. We’re always smiling just playing ball and trying to have fun.”
Despite being from opposite sides of the country, Tank and CJ approach the game with Texas-sized hearts and hunger. Much of the energy comes from Tank’s well-documented work ethic in training while the yin to the yang is CJ’s otherworldly approach to film.
When discussing CJ’s ability to recall plays from the previous week or from his Pop Warner days, I mention a friend who worked in the video room with LeBron James during his 2009 run with the Cavs. I mention stories about Bron stopping film before it starts and perfectly pointing out exactly what’s about to happen next for all ten players on the court.
“He definitely has that same deal,” said Dell. “He’ll send me clips at 11 PM in the receiver group chat breaking the game down. The game will be Sunday and he’ll be sending the clips on Tuesday. Everything is there. We’ve got a special quarterback right there.”
Like Tank, all the reps in practice and film throughout the week make Stroud able to stay calm on gameday and enjoy what most would consider a high-stress sport.
“That’s what makes him great,” said Dell. “On Sundays? He doesn’t think. It’s all muscle memory so he can just play and have fun.”
Heading into Year 2, the Texans have a chance to have more fun than ever with championship goals in sight. If Tank takes care of business on the field, he’ll have a chance to build his own businesses off of it.
Small Ball, Big Bucks
Tank Dell has big dreams outside of football.
Set to turn 25 this fall, he’s already excited about owning land in Texas and building businesses. He cites Jordan Brand as the company he’d most like to be endorsed by, cognizant of the fact that MJ and co. only align with the best of the best.
Historically, the Jumpman has joined forces with big targets like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, signing stars on the gridiron known to reach for touchdown catches like lob passes. Though Tank might not possess the same size as Air Jordan athletes before him, his timing might be exactly right regarding blazing a trail of his own on the field and at the bank.
In 2024, a handful of sub-6-foot receivers are making over $20 million a season. Akin to Mark Jackson, Stephen Curry, and the Golden State Warriors changing the geometry of the basketball court, space and pace are taking over football, with the concept of small ball and outside threats becoming the gold standard.
If the Houston Texans are to become a dynasty, a big part of that formula will be the slight star making huge plays.
“The goal is not only to go to the Super Bowl but win the Super Bowl,” said Dell. “We’re not trying to wait. We’re building but as a team and an organization? We feel like the time is now.”
Amid a four-year deal worth $5.7 million, Tank could touch major money once eligible for his second contract. According to Spotrac, NFL salary caps will top $334 million by 2028. As alluded to, numbers will go up across the boards, with wideouts perhaps being the biggest winners relative to what they already make.
It’s a bright future for someone who’s already been through so much yet beams with contagious optimism.
“He inspires me to get up every day and smile,” Stroud said. “Everybody knows what he’s been through in life, especially these past couple of months.”
Navigating a journey with more twists and turns than a Houston highway at rush hour, Dell is moving at his own pace regardless of traffic or obstacles thrown his way. It’s why fans are bullish on the Texans this season and why no one is enjoying the ride more than Tank himself.
“We’re out there having fun and building chemistry,” Dell said. “You can feel it. This training camp? It’s easier for me and [No. 7] because we know the playbook. But with the expectations? We know what comes with it. There’s a lot of eyes on us so each and every day, we’re working hard knowing there’s a target on our back.”
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