Colts 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft 3.0: Chris Ballard gets uncharacteristic
By Noah Compton
. . . Nathaniel "Tank" Dell. WR | Houston. 79. player. 46
The Indianapolis Colts draft WR Nathaniel Dell in the third round (79th overall)
The theme of best pick available prevails. Not only that, but back-to-back uncharacteristic picks from Chris Ballard are in order. This time, it’s uncharacteristic because of the prospects size.
No wide receiver in the Ballard-era has been shorter than 5-foot-11-inches, and 5-foot-11 only happened once. The other seven receiver selections were 6-foot-1 or taller. As for Dell? Well, he would certainly be an outlier as he stands approximately 5-foot-9 and weighs 160-165 pounds.
As a senior in 2022, he played 12 games and led the nation with 102 catches and 1,355 yards for an average of 13.3 yards per catch, 15 touchdowns, and an outstanding QB rating when targeted of 132.0.
Houston WR @Tankdell4 is hardest cover of any slot in this year’s NFL draft. Checkout the acceleration out of this break 🤯:#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/IPFHi4ZbPs
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 16, 2023
The production speaks for itself, but Dell is truly among the best in the class at getting overall separation. He was universally praised for his efforts at this year's Senior Bowl.
With unrestricted free agent wide receiver Parris Campbell set to hit free agency after a healthy, career-year, bringing in an elite separator from the slot may just be what happens.