Texans-Patriots kicked off the post-HOF game preseason schedule last night, and there were some things to talk about. C.J. Stroud looking shaky (with a small sample set), and Tank Dell making a spectacular a touchdown catch (made possible by him dropping it initially). Football is back.
With Dell, Houston's third-round wide receiver, even setting aside the touchdown, it was hard to overlook his involvement. He had 9 passes thrown his way in the first half (one erased by a penalty), catching 5 for 65 yards, while also returning a punt. The other perceived top wideouts, Nico Collins and John Metchie, each had 1 pass thrown their way, Collins hauling in Stroud's first pass attempt on a little sideline toss, Metchie catching a short pass over the middle from Davis Mills. I don't have snap counts so I'm not sure how much each of these guys played (and veteran Robert Woods didn't suit up), but it was Dell -- who started along with Collins -- routinely getting open against New England's coverage.
Dell was one of the smallish wideouts populating this year's draft, weighing in at 5-8 and 165 pounds at the combine. But he's really fast (looks faster than the 4.49 he ran), and was remarkably productive for the University of Houston.
In 2021, he caught 90 passes for 1,329 yards and 12 touchdowns. He came back in 2022 and was even better, hauling in 109 balls for 1,378 yards and 17 scores. He added another touchdown on a punt return (seems like he'll be a factor there for the Texans right away). He led all of college football in both receiving yards and touchdowns, finishing just 1 catch short of the receiving triple crown.
Looking at other receivers who led the NCAA in receiving this century, there have been some guys who went on to become NFL successes -- some modest, some huge.
Table shows the college receiving leaders since 2000, along with their best NFL seasons to this point. About a third (7) have gone on to have at least one top 30 season; five have had a top-10 campaign. Four others at least made it into the top 50 at the position; briefly factors in fantasy leagues. Dell isn't going to be the next Larry Fitzgerald, but maybe Austin Collie or even DeVonta Smith -- you never know.
In the table, wide receivers with top-30 seasons are in bold.
| COLLEGE RECEIVING LEADERS, 2000-PRESENT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | School | Yds | Best | PPR |
| 2022 | Nathaniel Dell | Houston | 1398 | ??? | ??? |
| 2021 | Jerreth Sterns | Western Kentucky | 1902 | - | - |
| 2020 | DeVonta Smith | Alabama | 1856 | 95-1196-7 | 9 |
| 2019 | Ja'Marr Chase | Louisiana State | 1780 | 81-1455-13 | 5 |
| 2018 | Andy Isabella | Massachusetts | 1698 | 21-224-2 | 114 |
| 2017 | James Washington | Oklahoma State | 1549 | 44-735-3 | 52 |
| 2016 | Trent Taylor | Louisiana Tech | 1803 | 43-430-2 | 68 |
| 2015 | Keyarris Garrett | Tulsa | 1588 | - | - |
| 2014 | Rashard Higgins | Colorado State | 1750 | 39-572-4 | 61 |
| 2013 | Brandin Cooks | Oregon State | 1730 | 78-1173-8 | 10 |
| 2012 | Terrance Williams | Baylor | 1832 | 52-840-3 | 44 |
| 2011 | Jordan White | Western Michigan | 1911 | 1-13-0 | 187 |
| 2010 | Greg Salas | Hawaii | 1889 | 27-264-0 | 105 |
| 2009 | Danario Alexander | Missouri | 1781 | 37-658-7 | 49 |
| 2008 | Austin Collie | Brigham Young | 1538 | 60-676-7 | 29 |
| 2007 | Michael Crabtree | Texas Tech | 1962 | 89-1003-8 | 12 |
| 2006 | Chris Williams | New Mexico State | 1425 | - | - |
| 2005 | Mike Hass | Oregon State | 1532 | 0-0-0 | 999 |
| 2004 | Roddy White | Alabama-Birmingham | 1452 | 115-1389-10 | 1 |
| 2003 | Larry Fitzgerald | Pittsburgh | 1672 | 96-1431-12 | 2 |
| 2002 | J.R. Tolver | San Diego State | 1785 | 0-0-0 | 999 |
| 2001 | Josh Reed | Louisiana State | 1740 | 58-588-2 | 44 |
| 2000 | Snoop Minnis | Florida State | 1340 | 33-511-1 | 67 |
Dell had some fans after being drafted (he went in the third round of my first rookie draft), and he made some more last night. Far from a sure thing -- right now I think he's the No. 4 -- but a guy to keep tabs on the rest of the preseason.
--Andy Richardson