JetPack Galileo
Feb 4, 2023
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 89
Projected 40 time: 4.41
Strength: Return Skill Application
Weakness: Size/Physicality
Tank Dell was the most productive WR in college football last season, posting back-to-back 1300+ yd/double-digit TD seasons. He played well against every opponent he faced (no ranked opponents), never scoring less than 13 PPR points while averaging a whopping 26.5 PPG. Usually the top college producer is some undrafted WR out of Hawaii, but Tank brings some legitimate intrigue.
Tank is essentially a KJ Hamler clone. He's got plenty of real skill, but his small frame will limit his overall utility at the next level. While big time volume might be hard to come by, he's the type of player that can easily slide into an on-field WR3 role and hit homeruns as a DFS lotto player.
Tank possesses special change of direction skill that satisfies all 3 phases of WR movement: 1) Hip Sink, 2) Lateral Displacement, and 3) Curvilinear Transition. His route work in 1-on-1s at the Senior Bowl was phenomenal. He was able to showcase excellent footwork and a wide range of advanced techniques. Tank's transitions are generally sharp and he's very intentional with his re-acceleration.
He did not struggle against press because he owns a quick first step and understands how to create lateral shear to avoid contact from the defensive back. Succeeding against press coverage in the American Athletic Conference is no more valuable than Skyy Moore doing really great in the MAC. No one at that level of competition will stop a receiver who owns a broad enough toolbox, regardless of size. Although he played on the outside at Houston, they'll keep him off the ball in the NFL.
I like him as a manipulator. His one-on-one strategy is pretty good. When he can focus on stretching and pulling a singular target, he generates separation very naturally. When it comes to zone recognition and spacing, Tank is average for a college prospect. He'll sit and stay covered. Undersized athletes need to be perfect in the strategic components of the game to make a mark and his playmaking instinct is not as sharp as it could/should be. Here, I'd like to see him move out of his spot quicker. He's dead to the quarterback there and players that understand the whole picture of the play would know that they have the freedom to bounce to the middle of the field. He realizes he needs to move at the end, but the opportunity is gone by then.
Tank's ball tracking is not spectacular either. He's not going to be getting targets on endzone fades, but this overhead tracking skill is relevant for players that are going to be asked to attack downfield. He has a hard time locating this one and misses an opportunity that he did well to set up.
However, he does have more reliable hands than Hamler. He regularly grabs the ball away from his frame and can make the big time play on the move.
It's in Tank's best interest to avoid contact altogether. If they can get their hands on him, defensive players can ride Tank into oblivion. He's not going to make many catches through contact either. The play below contradicts that basic info. He reaches out to push-off and force late separation before making a huge downfield grab. He's willing to be an initiator in opportune moments and he has some cheeky gamesmanship to his play. If Tank succeeds as a consistent weapon, it will be because he is able to outperform his size with this type of wit.
Tank's catch-to-attack transition is greasy smooth. He frequently makes the first defender miss. Here, Tank adapts to the ball and spins himself upfield so that he can immediately hit the gas and blow past linebacker.
Tank's move-stringing capability matches his 17 yard per punt return average. He has the creativity to make the dinks into dunks.
Tank Dell's initial NFL utility will revolve around his size stereotype. They'll look to get him going in special teams and the screen game, but soon enough they should see a route runner who can create space for himself. An intelligent coach will look to deploy him in the intermediate game where he can click into viable volume that leads to a more reliable boom game rate.